Six new National Federations were accepted as members of the International Boxing Association Family, following the IBA Congress in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

More than 160 National Federations were present at the Congress, including 135 NFs voting — 121 in-person and 14 online.

All were admitted by overwhelming majorities by the Congress voters, and they will now be recognized as permanent members for New Zealand, Australia, Brazil, Czech Republic, Germany and Sweden.

These organizations are the Aotearoa New Zealand International Boxing Association, the Australia National Amateur Boxing Association, the Confederation Boxing of the Brazil, the Czech Boxing Federation, the German National Boxing Association, and the New Sweden Boxing Federation.

Amendments to the IBA Constitution were approved too, including the guidance regarding dual membership of international boxing organizations, to allow flexibility for National Federations with athletes seeking to compete in events such as the Olympic Games. This dual membership ruling would be decided on a case-by-case basis by the IBA Board of Directors.

IBA President Umar Kremlev remained positive about IBA’s future role at the Olympic Games, with the change of guard set to take place at the International Olympic Committee.

‘The Olympics has always been around, and boxing has always been part of the Olympics, including in 2028. If people try to scare you that it won’t be possible and to move small National Federations left and right, I want all the Federations to stay true to us. As for the International Olympic Committee, the election happens in March – so we shall see. The situation and the leadership will change.’

‘At IBA, we respect all people regardless of their origin and we will not interfere in any country, on the contrary, we have to be supporting all the athletes. In 2025, we will be five times better than in 2024.’

In his speech, President Kremlev promised improved prize money and a higher volume of events while calling for boxing to be a unifying force not influenced by politics. He also invited hosts for future IBA Champions’ Nights.

IBA Secretary General and CEO Chris Roberts OBE highlighted the achievements of events in 2024 including the high level of IBA Champions’ Nights and the hosting of the IBA Youth World Boxing Championships in Budva. Educational programs and the Financial Support Program were spoken about in detail during his report.

For 2025, Chris Roberts OBE said the IBA is planning an extension of the WBA and ISDE collaborations, as well as improvements in pro-boxing education and mentioned the great work of the IBA Financial Support Program and the work it has done in benefitting National Federations, particularly in Africa.

Other constitutional amendments include a streamlined format for new National Federations that can now apply for provisional membership quicker if a former National Federation from the same country or territory resigns its membership.

The IBA Board of Directors also now has the power to temporarily suspend any Confederation of its rights and obligations if it is found to have seriously breached IBA rules and regulations.

Confederations are now legally obliged to keep all external activity from IBA consistent with IBA’s policies and directives and any amendments made to their constitutions shall require preliminary approval of the IBA Board to ensure it meets IBA standards.

The IBA Board is also now entitled to request a Confederation to hold elections for a new President if the position is vacant and this must be fulfilled within three months of this request.

The 2023-2024 Financial Report, presented by Angelo Musaro, an independent auditor, was approved by the voting members.

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Media contacts:

Elena Sobol, Head of Communications and PR, International Boxing Association: elena.sobol@iba.sport

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