Beginning from this Friday, Dubai in the Middle East will be the focus of the boxing world as three of the most important events in the International Boxing Association (IBA) calendar are set to take place in the city. The IBA Ordinary Congress, the Global Boxing Forum, and the Champions Night in Dubai are expected to shape the future of boxing.
The festivities will kick off with a reception and gala dinner for guests arriving from around the world. The Arabian hosts are leaving no stone unturned to ensure that the visitors from 171 federations have a memorable time in Dubai.
At the Ordinary Congress, all the National Federations of the world will come together to deliberate on strategies for the future of boxing. One of the standout topics is the election of a female representative on the IBA Americas Board of Directors, a significant step to promote gender equality within the association.
Three candidates are vying for the vacant position: Lourdes Avendaño from Bolivia, Ivonne Núñez from Ecuador, and Luisa Benítez from Venezuela. Each of them brings unique qualifications and experiences to the table. Avendaño, a former boxer, is a certified IBA coach with a degree in Business Administration. Núñez, a lawyer and economist, is currently pursuing a Ph.D. and has received the Dr. Leonidas Ortega Moreira Professional Merit Award. Benítez, the President of the Venezuelan Boxing Federation, has previously served on the IBA Board of Directors and is a certified IBA international technical official.
Following the Congress, the Global Boxing Forum will take place, providing an opportunity for specialists, coaches, administrators, and managers to share ideas and expertise. This year’s theme will focus on the protection of the physical, mental, and financial health of athletes. The aim is to generate innovative strategies within the boxing community to ensure the well-being of fighters.
The grand finale of this boxing extravaganza will be the Champions Night, featuring top athletes from around the world. Olympic champion Albert Batyrgaziev of Russia will face off against three-time world champion Lazaro Alvarez Estrada of Cuba in the 60-kilogram division. The bout, scheduled for ten rounds, will determine the first IBA champion in this weight category.
IBA President Umar Kremlev expressed his excitement about the upcoming events in Dubai and highlighted the exceptional talent that will be on display during the Champions Night. He hopes that this showcase will leave a lasting impression on both boxing enthusiasts and newcomers to the sport.
As Dubai prepares to host these significant boxing events, the world eagerly awaits the outcomes and the impact they will have on the future of the sport. This extraordinary gathering of boxing stakeholders promises to shape the landscape of boxing for years to come, making Dubai the epicenter of the boxing world this week.
