Lausanne, Switzerland
The International Boxing Association (IBA) is rewriting the rules of the ring by building a unified ecosystem designed to put its athletes first.
At Tuesday’s high-stakes press conference in Istanbul, IBA CEO Chris Roberts OBE delivered a knockout announcement: the launch of IBA Management.
Serving as the ultimate bridge between IBA Elite and the high-octane professional landscape of IBA.PRO, this new platform establishes a single, streamlined ranking system that officially kicks off at the President's Cup in December.
“We know how professional boxers get lost somewhere along the way. We are here to look after our boxers right the way through, to create welfare and well-being for them, and to make sure they have the events and the capacity to compete. Ranking points will make prizes, prizes will make money, and that will pull boxers into the IBA Management system,” Chris Roberts said.
IBA Elite itself will look different, with a new visual identity designed with a younger audience in mind.
"We are looking at the youth of today. What do they like? What do they want? They want to see really good, hard competition. We need to give our athletes something to look forward to. We were the first organisation to bring prize money forward, and we have seen other sports doing it since," he said.
IBA CEO Chris Roberts OBE: 'We need to give our athletes something to look forward to.' (Photo / IBA)
"It does not matter how much money you have in your pocket"
For Roberts, access is the reason the IBA funds athletes and delegations through its Financial Support Programme.
"Not only do we bring them in, we also help them along the way, because boxing is difficult. Boxing, and I say this every time, touches all four corners of the globe. It does not matter how much money you have in your pocket, from those who have nothing to those who have a lot. We provide those conditions," he said.
"Opportunities for everybody"
Meanwhile, speaking at the press conference, British heavyweight Derek Chisora, who has attended IBA events in recent years, explained from a boxer's point of view what sets the organisation apart.
“Imagine you are born somewhere very difficult, where you go to the gym and the ring is not stable, and there are two pairs of gloves that the whole class shares. Kenya, South Africa, Botswana: they all come to Dubai or Türkiye to showcase their skills. You don't get that from the promotions in London. They only focus on the professionals. If you are good, they focus on you more; if you are not, they don't focus on you.
“What the IBA does is unbelievable: opportunities for everybody. And when we say everybody, we mean everybody in the world," Derek Chisora said.
Derek Chisora: What the IBA does is unbelievable: opportunities for everybody. And when we say everybody, we mean everybody in the world. (Photo / IBA)
"In December it will be me versus Gassiev"
Chisora also used the press conference to name his next opponent.
"In December it will be me versus Gassiev. We are going to decide where, either London or Manchester. We are going to put two belts on the line: I believe the IBA belt and the WBA belt, the one Gassiev holds. WBA regular. So why not? Let's have fun with it. We are going to call Uncle Frank and George Warren, and then we are going to discuss it," he said.
The idea received the immediate backing of the IBA President, who said he was ready to support the bout. And Chisora made it clear that he has no intention of stepping away from the ring.
"I never said I was retired. They said it was the last dance. So this is the last dance three. I don't have anything to prove. I just enjoy fighting. I love fighting. Trust me, I sell. That's my job," he said. (IBA)
