USA Boxing endorses van der Vorst for IBA presidency

Dutchman Boris van der Vorst picked up a key endorsement this week when USA Boxing announced their support for him in the upcoming International Boxing Association (IBA) elections.

He is running against current IBA president Umar Kremlev, and has been very vocal in his displeasure with Kremlev’s leadership. He even went so far as to challenge Kremlev to a debate in a boxing ring in Lausanne, Switzerland.

In a letter released by USA Boxing, the organization spells out the current crisis facing the sport with regards to not being including in the LA28 Olympic program, the IBA being stripped of their authority to run the Paris 2024 competition and the inability of the IBA to follow the rules laid out by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

“We remain outside of the Olympic Movement. We are failing our members, however this does not have to last forever,” the letter stated.

“USA Boxing decided to support Boris van der Vorst because he has committed to specifically address these issues with the IOC, which will allow us continue with what makes our organization relevant, inclusion in the Olympic Movement.

Boris has even gone a step further and pledged to restore IOC financial contributions to the IBA, unlock additional Olympic Solidarity funds for boxing, and form the Boxing Independent Integrity Unit to protect boxers and National Federations. All within the first 100 days. Boris additionally pledged re-inclusion of boxing for LA28.

Can our current administration make the same commitment?”

The election for IBA president and other positions is scheduled for September 25 in Yerevan, Armenia. USA Boxing will be sending representatives to Armenia.