• IBA President Umar Kremlev has praised participants, spectators and everyone who supported the recently concluded event in Marrakesh
• Local fans created an outstanding atmosphere as they cheered on excellent performances from the host country’s boxers
• More World Boxing Tour host cities are set to be announced soon as the season-long campaign gains momentum

International Boxing Association (IBA) President Umar Kremlev has praised Morocco’s boxing family after the World Boxing Tour Golden Belt Series event in Marrakesh drew to a close on Friday.

Africa’s inaugural Golden Belt Series event was a resounding success, with local spectators creating a tremendous atmosphere at the 2,500-seat M’Hamid competition venue as they captured outstanding action in the ring.

Moroccan boxing fans certainly had plenty to cheer, with four of their athletes reaching gold medal bouts and Khadija Mardi claiming gold in the women’s heavyweight final to wrap up a thrilling event in Marrakesh.

However, the event was an international triumph, with boxers from 14 different countries contesting gold medal bouts across 25 weight categories to demonstrate the global reach of the men’s and women’s competitions.

“I would like to express my sincere gratitude to everyone who supported this excellent event in Marrakesh,” Kremlev said. “A great deal of credit should go to the boxers and their support teams as the contests on display were of a supremely high quality.

“The competition has demonstrated beyond any doubt that Morocco has a growing passion for boxing, and we look forward to returning to the country soon. Marrakesh has set an excellent standard for future World Boxing Tour events to follow as the 2023 campaign continues.”

The IBA confirmed last week that it is close to signing World Boxing Tour event-hosting agreements with a number of other cities.

The World Boxing Tour comprises a series of events that are classified into three categories: Golden Belt, Silver Belt and Bronze Belt tournaments, which contribute to the new IBA ranking system that will help to define the most successful boxers at the end of the year. The top four athletes in each weight category will fight to be named the best of the best at the annual Diamond Belt Series event.

Marrakesh hosted the third event on the World Boxing Tour, the IBA’s groundbreaking new competition series, after successful Silver and Golden Belt Series tournaments in Slovenia and Mexico, respectively, last year.

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