The weigh-in ceremony took place at the National Indoor Stadium on the eve of the inaugural IBA Kunlun Fight World Cup quarterfinal event in the capital city of China. Boxers competing in 63.5kg weight category all made the weight on scales.

Tomorrow, on 16 November, four 6-rounds fights are scheduled to take place.

In one electrifying matchup, undefeated Bakhodur Usmonov of Tajikistan, boasting an 8-0 record with 3 knockouts, will clash with local favorite LeQuan Wang, an experienced fighter with 8 wins (5 KOs) and 2 losses. Venezuela’s unbeaten Luis Arcon (15-0-1) will take on Russia’s Gabil Mamedov, European champion, making this an unmissable bout. Meanwhile, fans will see Olympic champion Erislandy Alvarez from Cuba — a young yet remarkably experienced amateur with 3 professional wins, go head-to-head with Adilet Kurmetov from Kazakhstan. France’s Sofiane Oumiha, a three-time IBA World Champion and two-time Olympic silver medallist with an undefeated 5-0 pro record, is set to face Serbia’s Pavel Fedorov, who has achieved three professional victories to his name.

The IBA Kunlun Fight World Cup is a groundbreaking event that unites the worlds of boxing and kickboxing under one global banner. Inspired by rich Chinese traditions in martial arts, the tournament serves as a stage for athletes from both disciplines to showcase their skills and resilience. This unique format is dedicated to delivering the best of the martial arts.

‘We wanted to create an unparalleled tournament experience that brings together top boxing and kickboxing talent from around the world. By uniting these disciplines, the IBA Kunlun Fight World Cup fosters cross-sport respect, inspiring a new generation of fighters to appreciate both sports. Hosting the event in China allows the IBA to celebrate the legacy of martial arts and strengthen international unity through shared values of dedication, respect, and sportsmanship,’ IBA President Umar Kremlev claimed.

He went on to explain why China was chosen as a host for the new IBA event, saying, ‘China, with its martial arts heritage, provides the ideal backdrop for this innovative, dual-discipline event. The country’s historical and cultural links to boxing and martial arts resonate with both boxers and kickboxers, offering a unifying cultural experience. Additionally, China’s world-class sports venues and commitment to hosting major international sporting events make it a fitting stage for the IBA Kunlun Fight World Cup.’

IBA Secretary General and CEO Chris Roberts OBE added that the vision of the tournament is to become the premier global event where the world’s best boxers and kickboxers come together.

‘We want to raise the global fan base for hybrid martial arts events. The tournament envisions fostering cross-disciplinary respect, sparking innovation in both disciplines, and creating a lasting legacy that showcases the highest levels of athleticism in both boxing and kickboxing,’ he added.

The event starts at 19:00 local time (GMT+8) at National Indoor Stadium in Beijing. Live stream is available on the IBA YouTube channel.

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Media contacts:

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

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