The Russian Umar Kremlev will remain President of the International Boxing Association (IBA) for another four years.
At the extraordinary congress in Yerevan, Armenia, almost 75 percent of the delegates voted against new elections on Sunday, allowing Kremlev to remain in office. The 39-year-old has been President of the IBA since 2020 and is considered a close confidant of Russian President Vladimir Putin and his predecessor Gafur Rachimov (Uzbekistan), who had to resign due to corruption allegations.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) expressed “extreme concern” to the industry service “inside the game” and announced a “full review” of the situation. Dutchman Boris van der Vorst actually wanted to challenge Kremlev.
From the IOC point of view it is problematic “the fact that there was no election, only a vote on not holding an election, and the fact that the recognized national Ukrainian boxing federation was suspended for controversial reasons just before the IBA Congress, as well as the chaotic circumstances of the election process”.
Anger over the suspension of the Ukrainian federation
The provisional suspension of Ukraine had already caused unrest in advance. As the IBA announced, this was due to state interference in the work of the national association. Ukrainian athletes should continue to be able to take part in competitions.
Ukraine reacts outraged to suspension
The Ukrainian federation reacted with outrage to the measure in a letter from Kyiv on Saturday and called on all IBA member federations to refuse the consent of Congress required for the suspension according to the statutes.
“We are convinced that the suspension is just an attempt to silence the Ukrainian boxing community”wrote federation president Kyrylo Shevchenko.
Chances of the 2028 Olympics lower than ever
The IBA has been suspended by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) since 2019 due to numerous scandals. Kremlev saved the IBA (formerly AIBA) economically with the help of the main sponsor Gazprom, but made it completely dependent on the Russian state-owned company.
At the IOC, doubts about the renewal of the association should not have diminished after this weekend. Boxing’s inclusion in the 2028 Los Angeles Summer Games program is more questionable than ever. For the games in Paris 2024, the IOC has already withdrawn the IBA from hosting the boxing tournament.