▪️Boxers’ mindset is now changing as their focus in Dubai is not on the usual medals but making it in the money bracket from the quarters to the finals
▪️President Umar Kremlev has transformed IBA into an enterprising organisation that can as well transition into a company
02/12/2025
The richest ever boxing tournament on earth – IBA Men’s World Boxing Championships – got underway on Tuesday December 2 in Dubai with a record-breaking prize money of $8.32 million at stake.
It started with the opening ceremony at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium featuring all the razzmatazz associated with prestigious showbiz events.
This rich tournament also reflects the Golden Era initiative announced in August, 2025, by IBA’s Secretary General & CEO Chris Roberts OBE during which he revealed a blueprint for boxing’s transformation citing a strategic renewal based on principles of sovereignty, inclusivity, and innovation, rather than a repetition of previous approaches.
Roberts was quoted in the IBA website reaffirming the IBA’s commitment to charting an independent course.
“This is about transformation. We are building a future where boxing is governed by its own values, not external politics,” said Roberts.
A Vision for Global Growth
At the heart of the organisational plan is a multi-tiered strategy to expand boxing’s global footprint. This includes:
▪️Forging new commercial partnerships that align with the IBA’s values and long-term vision.
▪️Leveraging digital innovation to engage new audiences and modernize the sport’s global presence.
▪️Launching a reimagined competition calendar that reflects both amateur and professional diversity, and dynamism of the boxing world.
▪️Supporting the IBA’s Foundation for Better Boxing, which will be dedicated to the welfare of athletes, both past and present.
Championing Transparency and Athlete Welfare
Roberts also underscored the IBA’s renewed focus on transparency, athlete welfare, and geopolitical independence.
“We are committed to creating a system where athletes are protected, heard, and empowered, regardless of where they come from,” he said.
Punching through Politics
While acknowledging the importance of the Olympic Games, Roberts made it clear that the IBA’s ambitions extend far beyond them.
“Boxing’s future is not confined to a single event. We are building a sovereign, sustainable ecosystem that thrives on its own terms.”
IBA Golden Era Initiatives
As part of the IBA’s “Golden Era,” three key initiatives are being launched:
▪️The prestigious IBA Men’s Elite World Championships will feature an invitation of cross combination top amateur and professional boxers from around the world competing in high-stake bouts, the very first hybrid event of its kind.
▪️IBA Pro: A new professional boxing project moving on from ‘Champion’s Night’, designed to provide a platform for elite athletes to compete at the highest level while also having the ability in maintaining both amateur and professional status.
▪️IBA Bare Knuckle: An innovative and traditional form of boxing that aims to bring the raw and authentic essence of the sport to a global audience.
Regarding the IBA World Championships, the event promises to be a landmark moment for the sport, showcasing the best of amateur and professional boxing talent and innovation combined. Stars who have focused on a professional career will also be invited back to enhance a prestigious opportunity for wider competitive bouts.
“We will have big names for what is going to be an exciting competition, with many brilliant bouts between strong competitors. We are looking forward to enjoying it together with our boxing audience from around the world,” said Roberts.
As the organisation enters this new chapter, the IBA leadership signals a transformative era for the sport, one that embraces change, challenges convention, and redefines what it means to be a global boxing powerhouse.
Since his election in 2020, IBA President Umar Kremlev has changed the boxing landscape overcoming several hurdles to turn the IBA into one of the most successful and enterprising sports organisations in the world which can as well transition into a company
Needless to say IBA remains the mother and father of amateur boxing in the world, reflecting the strength of a baobab tree whose massive, deep-rooted structure exemplifies physical power and the ability to withstand storms.
One of Kremlev’s most significant contributions is the introduction of prize money for amateur boxers in the elite tournaments, coming at the right time in the era of commercialisation of sports.
The prize money has changed the lives of top boxers worldwide including Africa. Boxers such as world champions Khadija Mardi and Widad Bertal have made $100,000, a substantial figure by any standards. Among other African boxers who are beneficiaries of the prize money include Mozambique duo of Alcinda Dos Santos and Rady Gramane, and Zambia’s African Games flyweight champion Patrick Chinyemba.
Meanwhile, the Technical Meeting and the Grand Opening Ceremony will take place on December 2 and the draw on December 3.
*IBA WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP*
The technical meeting is currently underway.
*The official draw* will be held tomorrow, 3 December 2024.
Competition period of the Championship is December 3-13 including a rest day on the 12th.
All the sessions until the title contests will start from 17:00 and 21:00 every day during the Championships, and the final will take place on the 13th from 17:00.
The boxers will compete in 13 categories from the minimumweight (48kg) up to the super heavyweight (+92kg) in Dubai.
Several of the titleholders from Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan have registered to defend their World thrones in the new edition.
IBA’s President Kremlev has invested huge amount of money to support the boxers, coaches and the National Federations.
The total prize money of the IBA Men’s Elite World Boxing Championships is 8.32 million US dollars and the best 104 boxers will earn this money in Dubai.
Winners of each weight category will get 300,000 USD, silver medallists 150,000 USD, the bronze medallists 75,000 USD and 10,000 USD for quarter-finalists
Each of the prizes will be shared between the boxers, coaches and the National Federations in order to support all of the participants. The boxers earn 50% of the prize money, 25% will go to the coaches and the remaining 25% to the National Federations.
Detailed schedule of the IBA Men’s Elite World Boxing Championships
December 2, 15:00
Technical Meeting
December 3, 16:00
Official Draw
Day 1 competition at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium
December 4, 17:00 & 21:00
Day 2 competition at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium December 5, 17:00 & 21:00
Day 3 competition at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium
December 6, 17:00 & 21:00
Day 4 competition at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium
December 7, 17:00 & 21:00
Day 5 competition at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium
December 8, 17:00 & 21:00
Day 6 competition at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium
December 9, 17:00 & 21:00
Day 7 competition at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium
December 10, 17:00 & 21:00
Day 8 competition at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium
December 11, 17:00 & 21:00
Day 9 competition at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium
December 12
Photo Shooting of the finalists and Rest Day
December 13, 17:00
Day 10 competition with the finals
December 14
Departure of the delegations
