Statement by Mr. Gafur Rahimov
July 15th, 2019 / IBA
Dear colleagues and boxing friends!
Let me sincerely thank all of you, who expressed confidence in me and gave me an opportunity to lead AIBA in the most crucial period of its history.
Over the last year and half, I always felt your approval and support for the steps being taken to stabilise affairs in our organisation and transform the global boxing community.
I have put at the centre of these reforms the benefits of Boxers, in whose interests AIBA is called to act as an independent institutional regulator of the sport of Boxing.
This most difficult transitional period in the history of AIBA coincides, unfortunately, with a period of my growing involvement in the processes aimed at protecting my honour and dignity against politically motivated and false accusations originating from the past.
These processes now require me to be constantly present in legal and other proceedings in order to speed up the clearing of my name from these false accusations.
Having been part of the Boxing family and the Olympic Movement for over 25 years, I have a sense of duty to do everything in my power to serve our sport and our athletes, who are an absolute priority for me.
Therefore, while it is with a heavy heart, I have decided to resign effective immediately as AIBA President.
Sincerely yours,
Gafur Rahimov
