Lausanne, Switzerland (May 8, 2023) – The International Boxing Association (IBA) in a letter sent 5 May 2023 to all National Federations (NFs) participating in the 53rd International Elite Men’s and Women’s Boxing Tournament “Grand Prix” organised by the Czech Boxing Association (CBA) urged them to immediately withdraw from the tournament because of the illegitimate participation of US Technical and Team Officials as well as Boxers. As result, teams from Brazil, France, and Poland immediately left the tournament.
Following the IBA acknowledged resignation of the National Federation of the United States of America, USA Boxing, on 26 April 2023, all its members, including officials, coaches, and boxers, were prohibited from having any relationship with IBA and from participating in any of its, or any affiliated member competitions, as enshrined in the IBA Constitution (as well as in the European Boxing Confederation (EUBC) Constitution and IBA Technical and Competition Rules).
The EUBC sent a communication to the CBA reminding the latter about the disaffiliation of the USA Boxing, the prohibition of its members to participate in the above-mentioned Tournament and requested CBA to take appropriate action immediately.
However, CBA ignored the instructions of IBA and EUBC. Consequently, the IBA has filed an official complaint to the Boxing Independent Integrity Unit (BIIU) against the CBA for allowing the participation of USA Boxing affiliated members at the 53rd International Elite Men’s and Women’s Boxing Tournament “Grand Prix”. In addition, the NFs that ignored the IBA communication urging them to immediately withdraw from the tournament have also had official complaints to the Boxing Independent Integrity Unit (BIIU) filed against them by the IBA.
‘We are once again seeing the collateral damage caused by USA Boxing’s selfish decision and reinforced by the reckless behaviour of the Czech Boxing Association (CBA). They have both created a situation where our athletes are no longer able to compete under safe conditions in addition to the wasted time, effort, and money to travel to the event.’ IBA Secretary General and CEO George Yerolimpos said.
The IBA strongly condemns the efforts of individuals to damage the significant strides taken by the IBA over the last few years to secure boxers’ the best future possible. The IBA reiterates that it will continue doing its utmost to protect the organization and all its member National Federations from any harm caused by individuals or entities within or outside of the IBA boxing family.
