Unity demonstrated at IBA Congress as Professor McLaren declares IBA’s significant change and observable progress & the inaugural IBA Champions' Night featured top performances and emotions

IBA Ordinary Congress 2022 has shown unity within the boxing family, who voted unanimously in favor of declaring the former President of the organization C.K. Wu persona non grata at the meeting in a hybrid format in Abu Dhabi, UAE.

Professor Richard McLaren presented his comprehensive report about the past of the International Boxing Association, formerly AIBA, and reported on the vetting processes he has done.

"IBA is changing significantly, there’s been observable progress within the organization", Professor McLaren admitted.

He also added that, according to the statistics, when the vetting processes have started in 2021, there were approximately 30% of high-risk competition officials, while as of now it is less than 5%.

Lumi confirmed that in total 112 delegates were present, 85 in person and 27 online. The delegates approved the meeting minutes of the Extraordinary Congress in Yerevan, with 99% in favor.

Addressing Congress, IBA President Umar Kremlev sent a crucial message, which was met with a round of applause.

"The IOC must hear us. We have the same goals as them, to create the best conditions for the athletes. We should fight for our sport at the Olympics. I want to stress that not a single boxer, coach or National Federation will be participating in the Olympic Games without IBA. This is a request from the boxers", Kremlev claimed.

The IBA Constitution was amended according to the Governance Reform Group recommendations, which completed the reform process for IBA. The Congress voted in favor with 95.5% of the votes.

The IBA Secretary General role was elevated to CEO in a joint capacity, Vice President became First Vice-President, and the number of meetings of the Board of Directors was increased to a minimum of 6 per year. National Federations (NF) were obliged to include in their constitutions a regulatory framework preventing racism and any other forms of discrimination. Athletes affiliated with a suspended NF are not deprived of their rights to take part in the competitions under their national flag and anthem but without any symbols of the suspended NF. Annual affiliated fees are waived. In addition, NFs are not permitted to participate in any international organizations or associations other than IBA and respective Confederations without IBA’s consent. In such a case, they may be subject to suspension for violation of the aforementioned.

Among other decisions, Niue Boxing Federation was admitted as the 204th IBA member with 97% votes in favor. The suspension of St Vincent & the Grenadines NF was kept with 85% in favor, and Vanuatu NF with 90% and the monitoring of the situation in both countries will be continued.

IBA Secretary General and CEO George Yerolimpos reported to Congress about the latest work done by the IBA, including sporting reforms and IBA’s digital transformation.

"We are going to implement new and innovative technologies at IBA in order to ensure that boxing has the cutting-edge technology to reach our ambitious digital goals", Yerolimpos said.

Crème de la crème of boxers, referees and judges and esteemed guests from all over the world came together to make the first-ever IBA Champions' Night happen. With a total prize fund of $400,000 USD at stake, 8 breathtaking fights took place at the Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers.

The winners got a prestigious belt and a $30,000 USD check, while runner-ups received $20,000 USD.

Boxers fought at the IBA Champions' Night in a pro format, 5 rounds of 3 minutes for men, and 5 rounds of 2 minutes for women. Women were performing without headguards, and men are fighting without shirts.

In an opening bout in men's 63.5kg, Sofiane Oumiha won unanimously over his opponent from Armenia, Karen Tonakanyan. The crowd was impressed by the techniques of two athletes, currently professionals with 3-0 boxing record both, who showed top-class performance.

"I have excellent feelings about this bout, being the first winner of the IBA Champions' Night, it's a great honor. I am grateful for the invitation from IBA", Oumiha said.

Reese Lynch from Scotland celebrated a second victory of the night over UAE boxer Amer Husain Ali Saeed with a unanimous decision in 67kg.

"It's good to be here, I had a great competitor today. I've started boxing when I was 8-9, and been there ever since. It's good to compete, win or lose - you always win", Lynch mentioned.

Jordanian Zeyad Eashash delivered a sensation victory in 71kg, beating Cuban 2-time Olympic champion Roniel Iglesias unanimously.

Crème de la crème of boxers, referees and judges and esteemed guests from all over the world came together to make the first-ever IBA Champions' Night happen. With a total prize fund of $400,000 USD at stake, 8 breathtaking fights took place at the Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers.

The winners got a prestigious belt and a $30,000 USD check, while runner-ups received $20,000 USD.

Boxers fought at the IBA Champions' Night in a pro format, 5 rounds of 3 minutes for men, and 5 rounds of 2 minutes for women. Women were performing without headguards, and men are fighting without shirts.

In an opening bout in men's 63.5kg, Sofiane Oumiha won unanimously over his opponent from Armenia, Karen Tonakanyan. The crowd was impressed by the techniques of two athletes, currently professionals with 3-0 boxing record both, who showed top-class performance.

"I have excellent feelings about this bout, being the first winner of the IBA Champions' Night, it's a great honor. I am grateful for the invitation from IBA", Oumiha said.

Reese Lynch from Scotland celebrated a second victory of the night over UAE boxer Amer Husain Ali Saeed with a unanimous decision in 67kg.

"It's good to be here, I had a great competitor today. I've started boxing when I was 8-9, and been there ever since. It's good to compete, win or lose - you always win", Lynch mentioned.

Jordanian Zeyad Eashash delivered a sensation victory in 71kg, beating Cuban 2-time Olympic champion Roniel Iglesias unanimously.