The IBA secretary general George Yerolimpos said that there was a "clear divide" between the nations backing World Boxing and their athletes.
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The International Boxing Association (IBA) has condemned the creation of World Boxing and vowed to expel any nations who associate themselves with what it views as a “rogue” group. World Boxing was established as a new International Federation to compete with the IBA to maintain boxing’s status as an Olympic sport after it was first omitted from the list for Los Angeles 2028. The Interim Executive Board has representatives from seven nations, including Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, the Philippines, Sweden, New Zealand, and the United States, as the new entity seeks recognition from the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
The International Boxing Association (IBA), headed by the Russian Umar Kremlev, asserted that the creation of World Boxing “does not come as a surprise” and warned individuals engaging in the group that they risk fines or possibly eviction from the IBA. The IBA also mentioned that participation in World Boxing would result in the concerned National Federation’s exclusion from membership and the designation of the officials implicated as “non-eligible.” The Boxing Independent Integrity Unit (BIIU) Tribunal may impose penalties on National Federations, their teams, individual boxers, or the competition officials taking part in tournaments organized by the World Boxing, according to the IBA.
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The Dutch Boxing Federation’s Boris van der Vorst, who attempted to challenge Kremlev in the contentious IBA Presidential election last year, has been appointed to the Interim Executive Board of World Boxing. Other members include Swedish Boxing Federation Board Member Karin Mattsson, interim secretary general Simon Toulson, GB Boxing chief executive Matthew Holt, Boxing New Zealand chair Keith Walker, USA Boxing President Tyson Lee, and Filipino Boxing completion official Karina Picson. The two athlete representatives on the Board are Britain’s reigning Olympic middleweight gold medalist Lauren Price and Tokyo 2020 super-heavyweight silver medallist from the USA Richard Torrez Jr.
The IBA stated that the introduction of World Boxing was “in line with the divide and conquer rhetoric seen” from the five individuals who are under investigation by the BIIU for a potential ethics violation. Mike McAtee, the executive director of USA Boxing, Ryan O’Shea, Marek Imak, Per-Axel Sjöholmv, and Steve Hartley, president of Boxing New Zealand, are being held accountable for “inciting a boycott” after several nations decided not to participate in the Women’s and Men’s World Boxing Championships 2023. The boycotting nations have declined to take part in the IBA’s marquee events, citing the participation of Russian and Belarusian fighters as their justification.
The IBA secretary general George Yerolimpos said that there was a “clear divide” between the nations backing World Boxing and their athletes. Yerolimpos said, “This was seen at the Women’s World Boxing Championships in New Delhi where we saw record participation levels and athletes from boycotting nations, including team New Zealand.” “This division rightfully continues, as athletes put their interests first as it is clear some National Federations are more interested in serving their own with little regard to the pain it causes athletes. “Ultimately, rogue world governing bodies and orchestrated coups are nothing new to sport, and like any well-governed organization, there are mechanisms put in place to protect the organization, its members, and in the end, the athletes,” he added.
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