Umar Kremlev continues to lead Iba – is boxing gone?

Umar Kremlev’s re-election is seen as the final blow to Olympic-style boxing. At the Tokyo Olympics, Finland won two bronze medals, one of which was won by Mira Potkonen. AOP/EPA&AOP

The International Boxing Federation IBA decided on Sunday at the congress organized in Armenia that the sitting president of the federation, the Russian Umar Kremlev may continue in his duties.

Relations between Iba and the International Olympic Committee’s IOC have been bad for a long time, and boxing is unlikely to be included in the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, because the IOC’s measure has been filled with problems related to the federation’s administration, financial transparency and refereeing.

Many consider Kremlev’s recent election a disaster for Olympic-style boxing.

– This is a disaster for boxing in general, said the chairman of the Swedish Boxing Association Per-Axel Sjöholm for SVT.

According to Sjöholm, IBA is a completely undemocratic organization whose leadership has been pathetic.

– This means that boxing will disappear from the Olympics in 2028.

Sjöholm is also concerned that Olympic status has in many places meant receiving support money.

– This means that the species can die out, Sjöholm said.

The British newspaper The Guardian also writes that Kremlin’s re-election is expected to mean that boxing will not be seen in Los Angeles.

On top of that of The Guardian after his election, Kremlev made a speech that can be interpreted as a desire to break away from the Olympics and the IOC.

– We should not talk about Olympic-style boxing, but Iba boxing, Kremlev said.

– No one else should have influence on this organization.

A Dutchman was challenging Kremlev in Iba’s leadership Boris van der Vorstwhich was also supported by the Finnish Boxing Federation.

Earlier in September, Kremlev took a stand Vladimir Putin alongside at the opening of the boxing center in Moscow. Kremlev published a video of the event and joint photos with Putin.