THE INTERNATIONAL BOXING Association (IBA) board of directors, which convened online on Tuesday, confirmed a series of developments in governance and introduced a new competitive category.
During the meeting, the Indian Amateur Boxing Federation (IABF) was formally admitted as a full member of the IBA, “reflecting the organisation’s intention to expand its membership through active engagement with other national federations”.
A caveat! The IABF is NOT recognised by the Union Sports Ministry as the national sports federation governing boxing in India. That position currently rests with the Boxing Federation of India (BFI). Similarly, the International Olympic Committee, after de-recognising IBA, has, effective February 26, 2025, granted provisional recognition to World Boxing (WB) as the official international federation governing the sport.
Coming back to the IBA board, “Key decisions were made with some clear focus moving forward for the organisation”.
Membership expansion. The board formally welcomed (re-admitted would be more apt?) the IABF as a full IBA member. Ongoing efforts to increase membership include active engagement with a number of other key national federations.
Governance and regulatory updates. The board approved significant amendments to the IBA Organisational Regulations, including clarifications on eligibility appeals, a renewed commitment to gender equality within committees, and the replacement of Continental Confederations with new Continental Units. The board also endorsed the delegation of authority to the IBA secretary general & CEO for technical amendments, streamlining regulatory updates.
BIIU procedural rules. Updates to the Boxing Independent Integrity Unit (BIIU) Procedural Rules were adopted, enhancing procedures for dispute resolution, ethics, and disciplinary matters. The revised rules reinforce confidentiality, legal representation, and equal treatment for all parties.
Technical and competition rule amendments. The board approved targeted amendments to the IBA Technical & Competition Rules, including the introduction of a new heavyweight category (92-100 kg), removal of the Standing Eight Count in Elite Men Competitions, and the implementation of the Referee Error Protest (REP) process to address objective officiating errors. These changes have the stated aim “to further strengthen fairness, safety, and the credibility of IBA competitions”.
Innovation and development. The IBA reaffirmed its commitment to innovation by introducing Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a support tool to enhance transparency and operational efficiency, while maintaining human oversight in decision-making. The board also reviewed ongoing professional development initiatives, including international coaching and officiating courses, and specialized education in bare-knuckle boxing.
Official visits and outreach. Reports were presented on recent official visits to Cape Verde and Mexico, where IBA leadership engaged with national sports authorities, distributed equipment to local athletes, and explored new event opportunities.
IBA president Umar Kremlev virtually concluded by reiterating the IBA’s dedication to upholding the highest standards of governance and sporting integrity stating: “These decisions reflect our shared vision for a stronger, more inclusive, and globally respected IBA.”
