IBA Board of Directors Agrees on the Creation of a Pro Boxing Committee 

Duro Ikhazuagbe  with agency report

The International Boxing Association (IBA) Board of Directors  on Friday took the unanimous decision during their official meeting in Dubai to create a Professional Boxing Committee that will regulate IBA pro-style tournaments such as the Champions’ Night as the successful platform develops further.

Speaking at the IBA Board of Directors’ meeting in Dubai, Secretary General and CEO of the boxing body, Chris Roberts OBE,  said IBA took the decision to help the development of boxers from the grassroots through Pro rank.

“We are creating the conditions for our boxers from the grassroots age so that boxers can continue to develop through their career. 

“IBA is the Home of boxing, and we invite them into our house to study with us to ensure that their journey to professional boxing is managed the absolute best way. 

“They say, do what you love, and at IBA we are creating a Professional Boxing Committee that will be responsible for supporting the career development and promotion of our boxers,” stressed the IBA scribe and CEO.

In addition, two new members will be appointed to the IBA Athletes’ Committee following the resignations of two other members, with the Committee electing a male representative to the IBA Board of Directors.

The IBA Board received an update on its CAS appeal against the IOC decision, after hearings that took place on 16 November 2023. The decision of the court is expected to be made in 2024.

Several National Federations were recommended to be excluded from the IBA following the fact that they have effectively joined the rogue boxing organization; IBA does categorically not accept dual membership.

A number of newly formed Federations will hopefully be granted membership to the IBA post key decisions to be made at the Congress.

The audited accounts and reports for 2022-2023 were unanimously approved by the Board of Directors and will be proposed for approval at the IBA Congress.

Meanwhile, IBA’s Champions’ Night in Dubaiwill hold this night  where Olympic champion Albert Batyrgaziev from Russia and Cuban three-time world champion, Lazaro Alvarez, will slug it out over 10 rounds in the 60kg weight category for the first IBA professional title. 

Four IBA professional bouts, in the pro-style boxing format first of its kind, are scheduled in the main event, as well as three professional fights.

Silver medallist of the IBA Men’s World Championships 2023 Saidjamshid Jafarov from Uzbekistan will battle Sewonrets Okazawa, a World champion from Japan, in 71kg division fight.