On December 12 in 2020, Russia's Umar Kremlev was elected as President of the International Boxing Association.

He won 57.33 per cent of the vote as the IBA's Congress was held virtually amid the coronavirus pandemic, and saw off a field which began as six challengers.

In May 2022, he was re-elected by acclamation and his Presidency was confirmed at an IBA Extraordinary Congress in September 2022.

Greek George Yerolimpos is the secretary general of the IBA, following the departure of István Kovács in July 2022.

After taking his job, Kremlev immediately called for unity and reforms as he prepared to lead amateur boxing worldwide.

The IBA have been working to improve their global reputation, with two Commissions formed to help with this. 

A Reform Commission on IBA statute amendments was created, which includes IBA legal advisors and senior members of IBA Federations. Presidents of each Confederation are also on the Commission. 

Kremlev, the Russian Boxing Federation secretary general, was made head of the new Marketing Commission, which aims to create a global marketing plan to attract sponsors and secure broadcaster deals for the World Championships and World Cup.

Umar Kremlev was first elected IBA President in December 2020 ©IBA
Umar Kremlev was first elected IBA President in December 2020 ©IBA

He also oversaw a sponsorship agreement with Gazprom to help boost the IBA's finances.

To improve dialogue between the IBA, Confederations and National Federations, Kremlev devised Continental Boxing Forums, where reports from both the Reform and Marketing Commissions were presented. 

So far, the Americas Forum has been held in Panama, the Oceania Forum in Fiji and the Asian Forum in the Jordanian capital of Amman. 

The European and African Forums are yet to be held. 

The IBA has launched Continental Boxing Forums ©IBA
The IBA has launched Continental Boxing Forums ©IBA

The Global Boxing Foundation project is also being developed, having first been initiated by Kremlev at the Global Boxing Forum. 

The Foundation will try to unify boxing stakeholders all around the world. 

It will not only focus on the IBA’s collaboration with other boxing organisations, but also on social investments such as charity events, legal assistance to boxers, aid for veteran boxers and the development of boxing across the world.

The Boxing World Cup is tipped to make a comeback after an absence of more than a decade.

Meanwhile, preparations for future editions of the men's and women’s World Championships continue.