Vietnam Boxing in the face of the world's IBA secession movement

Not only is there disagreement over boxing governance, the IOC has also publicly supported a new governing body, World Boxing, to replace the IBA worldwide.

The fierce confrontation between the International Boxing Association (IBA) and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) that has lasted throughout the 2024 Paris Olympics has not cooled down yet, creating unprecedented instability in the world boxing community.

Not only is there disagreement over the governance of boxing, the IOC has also publicly supported a new governing body, World Boxing, to replace the IBA worldwide. IOC President Thomas Bach has declared a strong stance on eliminating the IBA from the sport , while encouraging the boxing world to rally around World Boxing.

"Boxing can only be present at the Olympics if the IOC has a reliable partner. National and continental boxing federations, therefore, must make their own choice," Mr. Thomas Bach emphasized.

The IOC has sent a letter to the Olympic Committee and National Boxing Federations, asking them to consider whether to join the IBA or World Boxing. This drastic move has forced the Asian Boxing Confederation (ASBC) to convene an extraordinary meeting on August 31 in Abu Dhabi - United Arab Emirates to consider joining World Boxing.

Vietnam continues to stay in IBA as an official member of ASBC. (Photo: DONG LINH)

However, at this meeting, the majority of ASBC member countries voted in favor of continuing to be associated with IBA. Undeterred, at the end of November, ASBC continued to hold an extraordinary conference. This time, the member national federations were asked to give their opinions on "Should ASBC separate from IBA and become an independent governing body?".

Regarding this issue, Mr. Vu Xuan Thanh, Deputy Head of Department of High Performance Sports Management 1 - Department of Sports and Physical Training, said that Vietnamese boxing does not choose any separatist trend but will follow the policy of the majority of countries in the region as well as the continent.

"Boxing in particular and Vietnamese sports in general are actively reintegrating into the region and the world. Therefore, we do not bring difficulties to ourselves. Vietnamese sports want to develop in a positive way. Therefore, we will support organizations that bring about a legitimate, orderly and honest playground" - Mr. Thanh emphasized, in his capacity as Vice President of the Vietnam Boxing Federation.

ASBC's goal of breaking away from IBA and joining World Boxing did not come true when, after two extraordinary meetings at the end of 2024, the majority of member federations opposed separating from IBA. Sharing the same view as ASBC, EUBC (European Boxing Confederation) also voted to stay in IBA.

Mr. Vu Xuan Thanh commented: "ASBC's decision is in line with the majority and Vietnamese boxing can be confident in its development direction in 2025. Accordingly, actively prepare the national team to participate in international tournaments; do a good job of hosting the national annual tournament system; strengthen the training and development of referees and coaches; and rectify professional boxing nationwide...".

Source: https://nld.com.vn/quyen-anh-viet-nam-truoc-trao-luu-ly-khai-iba-cua-the-gioi-196241201213245482.htm