IBA launches a boxing league in China as a joint project with Kunlun Star
August 31st, 2024 / IBA Kunlun Fight
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The International Boxing Association (IBA) and Kunlun Star launch the boxing league in China featuring the best boxers. The competitions in the first two weight divisions, 63.5kg and 71kg, are to kick off on 16 November 2024 in the capital city at Beijing National Indoor Stadium.
The leading boxers from around the globe will take part in the event to fight for the title and substantial prize money. The prize fund for the boxing event is $2 million USD.
After the draw, quarterfinals pairs are shaped, and the competition starts in a playoff format. Quarterfinal bouts are scheduled for 6 rounds, semi-finals and finals will take place over 10 rounds.
Among the top boxers confirmed for participation are three-time World Champion and 2-time Olympic silver medallist Sofiane Oumiha from France, Olympic champion Erislandy Alvarez from Cuba, World champion from Uzbekistan Ruslan Abdullaev, European Games champion from Russia Gabil Mamedov, World Championships bronze medallists Bakhodur Usmonov from Tajikistan and Misheelt Battumur from Mongolia, African Games champion Mohamed Hamout from Morocco, all in 63.5kg, as well as World Championships silver medallist from Uzebekistan Saidjamshid Jafarov, World champion and 2-time Olympic champion Roniel Iglesias from Cuba, IBA Pro European Champion Pavel Sosulin from Russia, 3-time World Championships bronze medallist Ablaikhan Zhussupov from Kazakhstan, all in 71 kg, and others. Two boxers from China, one per category, are to be confirmed shortly.
‘We are thrilled to partner with Kunlun Star to bring this groundbreaking boxing league to China. This event represents a new era for boxing, where the world’s best athletes will showcase their talents in this format on a global stage. With such an exceptional lineup of competitors and a significant prize fund, we are confident that this league will set new standards for the sport and inspire the next generation of boxers worldwide,’ IBA President Umar Kremlev claimed.
‘IBA continues to go from strength to strength, dominating the sport of boxing with genius and revolutionary ideas. Evolution and opportunity will remain at the heart of our core business,’ said IBA Secretary General & CEO, Chris Roberts OBE.
Mr. Jiang Hua, founder of Kunlun Star, also said that ‘IBA Kunlun Fight World Cup will usher in its first match at the Beijing National Indoor Stadium. As a peak showdown that we have carefully planned, this match not only brings together top boxers, but also continues the usual high standards of Kunlun Fight’s World Max, inviting top fighting stars from all over the world to the event.’
Three-time IBA World Champion and two-time Olympic silver medallist Sofiane Oumiha from France is looking forward to challenging his opponents for another title.
‘I am really grateful to the IBA for another chance to show my skills in the ring. Professional format is not new to me, and I am going to dominate the ring every time when I have this chance. Most of all, I am looking forward to taking a re-match with Erislandi Alvarez; a Paris reunion. Now in the professional setup, it’s my territory, and I am going to surprise him,’ Oumiha claimed.
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Media contacts:
Elena Sobol, Head of Communications and PR, International Boxing Association: elena.sobol@iba.sport