After a pause, the IBA Junior World Championships is making a grand return. The previous competitions were held in 2015, with the men’s division in St Petersburg, Russia, and the women’s in Chinese Taipei. This year’s combined event promises to be a global gathering of emerging talents in Yerevan, featuring 13 junior men’s and 13 women’s weight divisions.

‘A grand celebration of rising stars is ahead of us, and I am looking forward to congratulating 26 newly crowned champions. The next generation of boxers is shaped at such events where they fight against the peers from around the world to gain their first World Championships titles. In addition, I extend my gratitude to Armenian Boxing Federation and Organizing committee for their hard work and commitment and dedication to deliver the best event,’ IBA President Umar Kremlev said.

‘We welcome all teams to register at the event as soon as possible,’ IBA Secretary General and CEO Chris Roberts added. ‘This event is going to be electrifying with the next generation boxers willing to earn their first medals. We are empowering the next wave of champions via this incredible platform of Junior World Championships; this is a pathway for future stars of our sport. Our community is our value, we unite boxers and coaches, their families, and fans to celebrate the passion of boxing.’

For those, interested in participating as a neutral athlete, comprehensive details on the process can be found here. 

Gabriel Escobar from Spain opened the tournament with a victorious performance in 57kg in a close fight against Russian Evgenii Liashkov. A bout review confirmed his dominance with a 4:3 split decision. In another fight in the weight division, Javier Ibanez Diaz representing Bulgaria eliminated Vladislav Voroshilov from Israel by a unanimous decision.

In the 63.5kg category, European Games silver medallist Gabil Mamedov from Russia delivered a performance of the day against Dzmitry Dziashkevich from Belarus. The referee stopped the contest in favor of Mamedov in the third round after a series of precise punches and three standing counts.

Two-time IBA World Championships silver medallist Aziz Abbes Mouhiidine from Italy won over Berat Acar from Turkey by a unanimous decision in the 92kg division. His next rival and World Championships bronze medallist Enmanuel Reyes Pla from Spain is ready to deliver a true top-level battle against Mouhiidine in their quarterfinal bout following defeating Rauf Rahimov from Azerbaijan unanimously. Uladzislau Smiahlikau from Belarus upset Soheb Bouafia from France in their fight winning by split decision of 4:1. His next rival is Russian Ramazan Khanapiev who defeated Hungarian Levente Kiss by a unanimous decision.

On the second day of action in Budva, we will witness fights of three-time world champion Sofiane Oumiha from France in 60kg, World Championships bronze medallist Salvatore Cavallaro from Italy in 80kg, European Championships silver medallist Lounes Hamraoui from France and Gabil Mamedov from Russia in 63.5kg both.

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The IBA welcomes and appreciates a high level of organization when it comes to the Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, achieved by the Chinese government and the Local Organizing Committee who channelled significant resources into the management of the Games and, consequently, sports development. However, it is discouraging to see that such a great spectacle of sports is overshadowed by the mistakes of some R&Js.

Following the tremendous error made by the IOC to withdraw its recognition, the IBA remains disappointed that it has not been involved in the Asian Games or consulted at any stage and stresses the importance of keeping the integrity of the competitions’ officials at the highest possible level and not accepting substandard performances.

With this, the IBA has set an example of high-level refereeing and judging at its profile events, both Men’s and Women’s World Boxing Championships in Tashkent and New Delhi, accordingly. This level continues with our latest program of Champions’ Night, with officials ensuring that our key spectacle remains on point for the world to see our clear worth and continued professional development.     

The lowest number of the Olympic boxing tournament participants in years made high demand for Paris 2024 quotas. In such circumstances, the true champion may never be revealed. IBA strives in ensuring that every performance from each boxer matters based on their merits within the ring, excluding influence of the competition officials regarding the end-state results. 

The absence of subject matter expertise from the IBA has raised significant concerns by the membership, from the level of officiating, through to the use of the bout review. The bout review automatically looks at split decisions, with reference to previous analysis and study (over 90%), that the majority of controversial results are circulated around split decisions. The IBA believes that the bout review rule shall be applied at the boxing qualifiers and boxing tournament in Paris 2024 to ensure fair results that will minimize the number of critical R&J mistakes. IBA has the necessary expertise in this regard and is ready to share its knowledge and experience in order to protect the athletes.

‘I received a lot of complaints from the athletes and team delegations participating at the Asian Games boxing tournament. They all are concerned about multiple R&J’s mistakes. That being said, IBA is not involved in this tournament due to the IOC Session and its controversial decision,’ IBA President Umar Kremlev claimed.

‘The integrity management in all respects should be first and foremost at any boxing competition. Unfortunately, the athletes faced problems at the competition under the IOC Boxing Unit supervision, where there is no rigorous vetting process conducted at the same level as IBA, which is managed with state-of-the-art AI technologies by well-respected independent experts involved. The background checks that the Boxing Unit provides might be not comprehensive enough to ensure the best quality of the competition. This has been verified with a number of ‘high-risk’ officials that have been removed from competition by IBA, have indeed been selected and used in Olympic qualifying events. In addition, the absence of the bout review rule allows the judges mistakes unpunished or unresolved, as there is no mechanism to overturn or at the very least, ‘review’ their decision,’ President Kremlev added.

He went on to say, ‘We are concerned because of our athletes that are at the very heart of the IBA. Every single bout matters throughout every stage of development and indeed competition. The price of IBA’s absence is extremely high and noted, this impacts significantly on the dreams of many boxers. We must do everything we can in ensuring the highest levels of integrity are met. Having received a number of complaints from various National Federations in terms of results, not only for the level of officiating in China, but from the commencement of the European qualifying events in Poland. The latter was followed by the African Qualification tournament in Dakar that was marked with certain complaints and involved high-risk officials also. IBA remains stood on the side line only to direct those National Federations concerns back to the IOC for their clarifications and relevant actions. IBA is ready to offer any help to the IOC to avoid such situations for the sake of our boxers.’

‘The IBA is Home of Boxing and will always protect the interests of its boxers and the boxing family at all levels, regardless of which entity is in charge of tournaments’ organization,’ concluded IBA President.

The joint decision of IBA, AFBC and the South African Boxing Organization was taken following the postponed African Boxing Confederation Congress, initially slated to coincide with the boxing tournament. Due to the present circumstances, the postponement is motivated by the difficulty most delegates have faced in obtaining visas, and the haste observed in the organization of this event which ultimately led to the postponement.

IBA Secretary General and CEO, Chris Roberts claimed that “In adherence to the high standards of organization we strive to maintain, the parties have unanimously agreed that it is in the best interest of all participants to postpone the competition. Our vision is for the Mandela African Boxing Cup to be a landmark event in the boxing community, and as such, we believe it warrants the extra time to ensure its success. Furthermore, considering the pivotal nature of the AFBC Congress, particularly with its Presidential elections, it is imperative that we give it the due prominence.’

The new dates and venue will be communicated in due course.

The men’s competition across 13 weight categories has prize money at stake with $15,000 for the first place, $10,000 for the second place, and $5,000 for the third. However, the quarterfinalists will also be entitled to receive a reward which is $1,000 for each.

Top boxers across the continent are registered to take part in the event with stars in every weight division. Among them, Marko Milun from Croatia, Ahmed Hagag from Austria, Davit Chaloyan from Armenia in 92+kg, Aziz Abbes Mouhiidine from Italy and Enmanuel Reyes Pla from Spain, Levente Kiss from Hungary, and Radoslav Pantaleev from Bulgaria in 92kg, Gabil Mamedov from Russia in 63.5kg, Billal Bennama from France and Martin Molina Salvador from Spain in 51kg, Turgul Han Erdemir from Türkiye in 71kg all are registered to compete in Budva.

EUBC President Dr Ioannis Filippatos mentioned the importance of the event for the continent, stating, ‘The EUBC Cup is a symbol of hope and trust in the sport, as IBA’s President Mr. Umar Kremlev continues to show that he keeps his promise to support the boxers and provide them with great opportunities. The EUBC Cup was announced by Mr. Kremlev during the EUBC Extraordinary Congress in Istanbul on 13 July. Considering the current difficult times, the support of Mr. Kremlev and IBA is most certainly appreciated.’

‘We are very excited to announce that so many boxers and nations will contest for precious medals, bragging rights of being the first ever EUBC Cup champions and very attractive prize money amounts. For the first time ever, the eligible boxers making it to the quarterfinals will also earn prize money. Further, the team delegations will be assisted to cover the cost of accommodation and meals,’ he added.

Dr.  Filippatos went on to say, ‘EUBC’s priority and the main target is to provide the best opportunities and conditions for our boxers to fulfil their potential, and to assist the national federations in their development and advancement. The EUBC Cup is a perfect example of this, and I thank President Kremlev for his collaboration. Also, my thanks to Mr. Alexander Klemenko, President of the Boxing Association of Montenegro, and his very competent LOC for the organization of the competition.’

The draw ceremony will take place on 7 October with the first fight starting the next day. The finals will be held outside with a magnificent view of the old city of Budva.

Due to the ever-changing landscape, IBA continues to remain dedicated to its athletes in whatever situation and circumstance. Bout volume remains a key aspect for many, and with the potential lack of ‘high-end’ competition, boxers may be left behind in terms of their overall growth and development as an athlete. This is duly recognized by IBA, and something that we absolutely understand. The ability to box as a neutral athlete opens up wider scope and opportunities for the future.

In order to apply for neutral boxer status, the athlete should in the first instance send an official letter of request to sport@iba.sport, duly signed, with the respective Confederation being in copy of the correspondence. The boxer should provide the IBA with copies of the record book, a valid national passport, they should also indicate the last National Federation they were affiliated with and the last competition they participated in under its authority. Refugees should provide the IBA with a document demonstrating their status.

The permission is granted solely at IBA’s discretion and is not subject to appeal.

The detailed process can be read in full here.

The last junior events were held in 2015 with the men’s tournament in St Petersburg, Russia, and the women’s in Chinese Taipei. This time, the joint event will unite young boxers from around the globe in Armenia’s capital to compete in 13 junior men’s and 13 women’s weight categories.

‘Boxing is established from grassroots, our National Federations and clubs, and it is now time we brought the IBA Junior World Boxing Championships back to calendar,’ IBA President Umar Kremlev said. ‘Many big names in boxing started their pathway from the junior level, and these first steps to the World Championships have assisted to shape the younger generation of champions. This is a huge celebration of boxing, and I invite everyone to follow the junior event in the beautiful city of Yerevan both on-site and online.’

IBA Secretary General and CEO Chris Roberts OBE thanked the Boxing Federation of Armenia “for their constant support to IBA” and expressed his confidence in a high-level event organization.

‘Yerevan has already hosted several large-scale events, and we have complete confidence that the IBA Junior World Boxing Championships will be organized at an exceptional standard. For us, grassroots is where it all begins, and boxers must be given the opportunities to compete against the very best from all corners of the world. Having this flagship event for their age group category is a huge motivational factor to train hard daily and never to give up on boxing after those hardy first challenges. We expect more youngsters in the boxing gyms having been inspired by the opportunity to become world champions as early as the age of 15-16 years,’ he stressed.

The decision-making process of nomination involved a thorough evaluation of the candidates, including an assessment by the independent vetting firm, Genius Sports, renowned for its expertise in international sports integrity.

The vetted list of the candidates for the AFBC Presidential elections includes:

1. Berhanu Eyassu Wossen
2. El Kabbouri Mohamed
3. Mendouga Bertrand Magloire Roland
4. Omo-Agege Siena Azania
5. Moses Muhangi

The latter managed to address several concerns by providing his position and supportive documents. Consequently, the BIIU recognized Muhangi as an eligible candidate for the Presidential elections, subject to his compliance with the penalty imposed by the AFBC Ethics Committee on February 4, 2023.

Another applicant, Ferdinand Ilunga Luyoyo from the Democratic Republic of the Congo failed to provide sufficient explanations and documentation to establish his eligibility. It is noteworthy that he had previously been deemed ineligible by the BIIU Nomination Unit for the AFBC Presidential elections in 2022.

‘We strongly urge an end to baseless attacks on the independent body, which plays a critical role in determining the eligibility of candidates seeking positions within the IBA Board of Directors. We expect a comprehensive investigation by the BIIU on identifying the initiators of the public attack on the Nomination Unit,’ IBA Secretary General and CEO Chris Roberts OBE commented. ‘All of the core values that we see and expect to see from our boxers in the ring, must continue to be demonstrated by those who hold senior administrative positions within our National Federations.’

The candidates are encouraged to comply with the campaign rules and conduct their campaigns with honesty, dignity, moderation, and respect for their opponents.