▪️A single global operational structure known as IBA Continental Operations Desk (IBA COD) has been established and takes charge of all former continental offices assuming full responsibility for global adminstrative service delivery under the direct authority of the IBA Secretary-General & CEO Chris Roberts OBE on behalf of the IBA President
▪️It’s high noon for Africa Boxing Confederation (AFBC) which has been replaced by IBA Africa to have a Unit President with several key departments all under IBA COD
21/02/2026
In a radical move that fundamentally alters the governance landscape of amateur boxing, the International Boxing Association (IBA) has officially announced the dissolution of its five continental confederations, a decision endorsed at its 2025 Congress in Dubai and approved by the IBA Board of Directors through mail vote on February 19, 2026.
The massive restructuring which was effected on February 19, 2026, is aimed at centralising and streamlining operations to eliminate perceived mismanagement within the African, Asian, European, American and Oceania confederations.
A case in point is IBA’s dissolution of the African body, AFBC in 2025, following deep divisions that gave birth to two factions, one led by the deposed AFBC President Eyassu Berhanu and the other one under the leadership of DR Congo federation President General Ferdinand Luyoyo.
This division – described as an eyesore to boxing management in Africa – prompted the IBA to dissolve the Eyassu board and appointed a Normalisation Committee under the leadership of IBA Board of Directors member, Pearl Dlamini from Eswatini.
All that is now water under the bridge with some of the factions’ hardliners already consigned to the dustbin of Africa’s boxing history.
In the new IBA Policy on Centralised Operations of Continental Units, the dissolved continental confederations have been replaced by Continental Units namely IBA Africa, IBA America, IBA Asia, IBA Europe and IBA Oceania. As per article 13.1 of IBA Constitution, the Continental Units are an integral part of the IBA Head Office.
A structure of the Continental Unit will include a Continental Unit President and other staff hired by IBA to be responsible for both managing and developing all forms of boxing in the relevant Continental Unit.
The functions of the Continental Units – established in article 13.3 of the IBA Constitution – shall be implemented based on this Policy.
Establishment of IBA COD
The International Boxing Association (IBA) has established a single global operational structure
known as the IBA Continental Operations Desk (IBA COD).
This new entity operates under the direct authority of the IBA Secretary-General & CEO Chris Roberts OBE, on behalf of the IBA President, ensuring a streamlined and cohesive approach to managing the sport of boxing worldwide.
The IBA COD replaces all former continental offices and secretariats, assuming full responsibility
for global administrative service delivery, event management, development, and programme implementation.
This centralisation aims to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the IBAs operations, ensuring uniform standards and practices across all continents.
IBA COD Organisational Structure
The IBA COD is composed of several key departments, each with specific roles and responsibilities to ensure the smooth operation of the IBA.
The IBA COD includes the following HQ-based departments:
International Relations Department
Oversees divisional operations policy and ensures
effective communication and coordination with National Federations (NFs).
Legal Counsel
Manages all legal matters, ensuring compliance with IBA regulations and standards.
Administration Department
Supports the IBA Head Office in business operations and administrative tasks.
Sports Department
Manages continental events, ensuring they are organised to the highest standards
Technical Management
Provides technical support for events, including light and sound management.
Development Department
Manages courses and the selection of officials, ensuring the continuous development of the sport.
Communications and PR Department
Oversees public relations and communication efforts to promote the IBA’s activities and initiatives.
Marketing Department
Develops and implements marketing strategies to enhance the visibility and reach of the IBA.
Divisional Operations Managers (DOMs)
The IBA will appoint five Divisional Operations Managers (DOMs) to support the administrative implementation of each Continental Unit;
As a process, this department will also contribute to the collective management of IBA Pro and IBA Bare-Knuckle (as systems progress).
One of the IBA Africa’s immediate assignment is the organisation of the Africa Elite Men’s and Women’s Boxing Championships.
Already Zambia, Cape Verde and DR Congo have indicated an interest to host Africa’s premier boxing event first held in 1962 in Cairo, Egypt.
With the new structure, the IBA COD will be fully in charge of organizing the tournament from overseas in conjunction with the Unit President in Africa who has yet to be identified but most likely IBA Africa will deal directly with the National Federation hosting the championships.
Challenges will obviously be there but positively the new structure brings to an end the time-wasting confederation elections whose leaders failed to make an impact, and were focused mostly on IBA’s funding which has now been cut off with the IBA COD being directly in charge of their own money. Basically, the Unit President will be ceremonial with little authority in the management of boxing in Africa.
