The Polish Boxing Federation (PZB) has made a bold move by announcing its departure from the International Boxing Association (IBA) and joining the World Boxing Federation, a decision that could have far-reaching implications for the sport in Poland. This move comes at a critical time, with the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles just around the corner, and the future of boxing as an Olympic sport hanging in the balance.
The IBA, led by Umar Kremlev, a close associate of Vladimir Putin, has been embroiled in controversy, including the gender testing scandal involving Taiwanese and Algerian boxers, Lin Yu-ting and Imane Khelif. The IBA’s decision to exclude them from competitions due to questionable test results was met with widespread criticism, and the MKOl (International Olympic Committee) deemed the tests unreliable.
Furthermore, the IBA’s moves to expel Ukraine from the federation and readmit Russia and Belarus, countries with questionable human rights records, have raised eyebrows and sparked concerns about the organization’s governance and accountability.
For the PZB, staying with the IBA would have meant risking the future of Polish boxing, particularly with the Olympics looming. The decision to leave IBA behind and join World Boxing, a younger organization formed in 2021, is seen as a pragmatic move to safeguard the sport’s Olympic status and ensure Polish boxers can continue to compete at the highest level.
Julia Szeremeta, the talented Polish boxer who won silver at the Paris Olympics, is expected to benefit from this decision, as she sets her sights on gold at the 2028 Games.
„We are entering a new era for Polish boxing,” said Grzegorz Nowaczek, President of the PZB. „The decisions we made today are the result of intense consultations and analysis of international developments in our sport. Our goal is to provide the best possible opportunities for our athletes, and the World Boxing Federation offers us a chance for stable development and presence in the elite of world boxing.”
Poland has a rich boxing tradition, with 43 Olympic medals won to date, making it one of the country’s most successful Olympic sports. The PZB’s decision is a testament to the nation’s commitment to preserving the sport’s integrity and ensuring its continued success on the world stage.
With this move, Poland becomes one of the first countries to abandon the IBA and join World Boxing, setting a precedent for other nations to follow. As the sport navigates these turbulent times, one thing is clear: the future of Polish boxing is bright, and its athletes are ready to take on the world.