International Boxing Day celebration will give an impetus to the boxing development in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, according to IBA President Umar Kremlev.

‘I am happy to celebrate International Boxing Day with the African continent and send a good message to the world. We are a strong and united boxing family, we are helping our National Federations to develop the sport in every single country. Boxing is a diverse sport, and we are committed to making it available for everyone,’ claimed IBA President.

The press conference with AFBC President Bertrand Mendouga and Général Ilunga Luyoyo Ferdinand, President of the DR Congo Boxing Federation, took place in Kinshasa. IBA Board of Directors members Pearl Dlamini, Yusuf Al Kazim and Dian Gomes sent their best wishes to all boxing family and expressed their support for the Year of Africa. World and Olympic Champion Estelle Mossely and WBC Champion Junior Ilunga Makabu became special guests on International Boxing Day.

Général Ilunga Luyoyo Ferdinand mentioned that Kinshasa was always ‘a city of boxing.’

‘Here in Kinshasa, the greatest fight of all time “Rumble in the Jungle” between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman took place. We have always been loving boxing here. We are grateful that IBA chose us as a host country for International Boxing Day. This is the start of a new era of boxing in DR Congo,’ General said.

AFBC President Bertrand Mendouga thanked everyone who took part in the organization of IBD and mentioned that the African continent has to increase the number of competitions.

Estelle Mossely is a boxer from France, and she has Congolese roots, as her father is originally from DR Congo.

‘I came from a Congolese-Ukrainian family. Three years ago I came to Kinshasa for the first time to train with children and inspire them, and now I am also back to the roots to celebrate International Boxing Day here. I earned my titles when I was 24, I have two kids, and I still continue to perform and win titles. I have my goals and I’d love to keep inspiring people,’ Mossely said.

Congolese boxer, WBC Champion in cruiserweight Junior Ilunga Makabu mentioned that he wants African boxers to develop further and reach new heights.

‘Africa has a lot of young, talented people. They have never been given an opportunity to show their skills before. Now, IBA is really determined to promote boxing. We are waiting for good opportunities to work together with IBA. We are moving ahead,’ he said.

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