World Boxing, founded to save Olympic boxing, organizes the World Youth Championship tournament in Colorado.
Finland will go to the first prestigious championships of World Boxing, the new umbrella organization of boxing, with the strength of three athletes. Aapo Rovanperä, Leevi Salo and Aapo Lehtonen will compete in Pueblo, Colorado in the U19 World Championships starting October 25th.
World Boxing is an association established under the auspices of the International Olympic Committee, which replaces the Russian-led IBA. The IOC first demanded a Russian Umar Kremlevin led Iba to change its operating methods when, among other things, Iba decided to accept Russian and Belarusian athletes in their competitive activities with country codes against the recommendation of the IOC.
The IOC eventually ended up being responsible for the boxing arrangements for the Paris Olympics.
This autumn, the IOC has instructed the national Olympic committees to sever their ties with IBA member associations. For example, the Finnish Boxing Federation left IBA in August 2023 and joined World Boxing in October 2023.
World Boxing was founded largely to save the future of Olympic boxing, and now the association is actually starting its international competition activities. The organization’s first adult world championships will be held next year.
Swiss competition law as a lever
Sports website Inside the Games said on Monday that Iba has started to defend his position through the courts.
Iba justified the decision with the need to protect its national member associations from the “violent behavior” of the IOC. At the same time, Iba encouraged national federations to join the legal battle “to secure the future of boxing”.
The IOC excludes athletes from IBA member federations from the Olympics. On this basis, IBA has filed a complaint with the Swiss Competition Commission, because it considers the IOC’s decision to violate the Swiss Competition Act.
IBA has promised financial support to its national member unions that are considering legal action in their countries for their status.