IBA and FISU join forces to promote university level boxing

The International Boxing Associations (IBA) and the International University Sports Federation (FISU) are teaming up to help promote and develop the sport of boxing among university athletes.

The main focal points of the agreement between the two organizations will be the development of university sport and boxing, joint educational initiatives and the promotion of fair play and gender equality within the sport.

IBA President Umar Kremlev was thrilled with the new partnership saying, “I believe it will be a truly mutually beneficial cooperation between the IBA and FISU. Together we will work to further instill the fundamental values of boxing across the sports world, as well as the younger generation of student athletes.”

According to a recent study by the Global Web Index, boxing is the second most popular sport in the world among younger people, ranking behind only football. Latin America and Asia have seen a huge increase in boxing participation the past few years.

Boxing has been a part of every Summer Games, minus one, since 1904 but is not currently included as part of the LA28 program.

The IBA’s support of the FISU World University Games and the FISU University World Cups is crucial to the sustained growth and success of the sport among young athletes.

“We are truly excited to see IBA recognizing the importance of our events,” said FISU Acting President Leonz Eder. “We are determined to promote boxing with the program in tandem with the University Sport Movement. Boxing is a popular and universally accessible sport campus which can be practiced by all students of all genders.”

The FISU has organized the FISU World University Championship Boxing since 2004, and boxing will be one of six sports featured in the new 2022 FISU University World Cup Combat Sports, along with karate, muaythai, sambo, wrestling and wushu.

Boxing was dropped from the LA28 program by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in December, mainly due to doping and corruption issues, but was given a path back to possible inclusion by the IOC.

Although the latest partnership between the IBA and FISU won’t fix all of boxing’s issues in the eyes of the IOC, it will surely be seen as a positive first step towards future Olympic reinstatement.