▪️The host of Africa’s premier boxing tournament has yet to be decided
▪️Total prize money for World Championships to be increased to $10,000,000 with bronze medallists earning $30,000
▪️IBA Gym Program under way in various countries worldwide
Good news for African boxers.
The 2026 Africa Elite Men’s and Women’s Boxing Championships has received a big boost of $1000,000 total prize money, International Boxing Association (IBA) President Umar Kremlev announced today, December 13, 2025.
Addressing participants during the IBA’s Global Boxing Forum in Dubai, Kremlev said this is the total prize money allocated to all their confederations in IBA’s committed efforts to commercialise boxing.
“Next year we will hold four continental tournaments each with a prize fund of one million dollars shared between national federations, coaches and athletes,” said Kremlev.
The African Elite Championships was due to have taken place at the end of this year but was postponed to 2026 in order to organise an elaborate event befitting its status.
Gabon had indicated an interest to host this prestigious African boxing event.
On the increase of World Championships prizemoney to $10qq million, Kremlev said their goal is to encourage more participation as well as boosting boxers’ morqale, and that plans were underway to increase weight categories to 14 including the addition of a new super-heavyweight category.
“I thank you all for your dedication and contribution to the development of boxing in your countries,” Kremlev told the participants.
“The IBA is ready to work with you all, share your ideas and we will participate personally I’m ready to visit and help organise tournaments together.”
Kremlev asked national federations to submit their application for equipment to the IBA Assistance Program ahead of the distribution in 2026.
“Next year we will also begin investing in training infrastructure through the IBA Gym Program,” said Kremlev adding that they intend to estabillsh IBA Gyms in various countries worldwide to encourage youth to take up boxing.
