VBF selects replacement operator for Mr. Luu Tu Bao

The Vietnam Boxing Federation (VBF) has authorized Mr. Nguyen Duy Hung - Vice President and General Secretary - to take charge when VBF President Luu Tu Bao has been absent for more than half a year.

VBF President arrested in the US

Despite being wanted by Australia for many years on cocaine-related charges, VBF President Liu Xiubao was arrested in the US on charges unrelated to drugs. According to documents filed in the Federal District Court for the Northern District of California, Liu Xiubao (also known as Chris and Big Brother), 49, is believed to be the leader of a transnational criminal organization, wanted by Australia for allegedly conspiring with his accomplices to smuggle 78 kg of cocaine from South America to the port of Melbourne between September 2016 and June 2017. Liu Xiubao is said to have used his long-standing relationships with a network of contacts to source, supply, and finance the drugs, which have now been seized by Australian police. The arrest warrant was also reissued by the Melbourne Magistrates Court, Victoria, on April 2, 2025. The Federal District Court for the Northern District of California accepted the request for Liu Xiubao's extradition from the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs in mid-August 2025. On August 28, Liu Xiubao appeared at the preliminary hearing, where lawyers from both sides agreed on a schedule for filing a motion, objection, and response, followed by a hearing scheduled for the morning of January 29, 2026 (local time) by Judge Thomas S. Hixson.

Mr. Nguyen Duy Hung - Vice President and General Secretary, will run VBF activities in place of Mr. Luu Tu Bao.

PHOTO: VBF

Liu Xiubao was arrested by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) under a domestic arrest warrant. According to the released documents, Liu Xiubao was accused of kidnapping and illegal detention in Santa Clara County. When the case was brought to the judicial system, the police found that he had wanted information from the Australian Federal Police (AFP). Since the time Liu Xiubao was prosecuted by Australia and had an arrest warrant issued, he has mainly been in Ho Chi Minh City, except for a few short trips to Thailand. There is no record of him traveling to Australia since his indictment. His co-defendants in Australia were convicted and appealed but were unsuccessful. A lawyer practicing in California said that in the context of a person being detained in the US, extradition is not just an administrative decision but a complex legal process. Under the Extradition Treaty between the US and Australia, the Australian government must submit a formal request through the US State Department . The request is then referred to a US court, where a judge will hold a hearing to consider the legal standards. The judge will only confirm the validity of the request, not make a final decision. The final decision rests with the US Secretary of State. Therefore, Australia cannot directly arrest someone in US custody; they must comply with this judicial process.

VBF speaks out

Yesterday (September 5), the VBF Executive Board held an online meeting, then issued a press release regarding the incident related to Mr. Liu Xiu Bao. Accordingly, VBF informed about the absence of VBF President Liu Xiu Bao for more than half a year as follows: "Mr. Liu Xiu Bao went to the US for family matters since February 2025 and had to deal with some personal matters, so he is temporarily unable to return to Vietnam. Mr. Liu Xiu Bao will sign a power of attorney to manage VBF's activities for Mr. Nguyen Duy Hung - Vice President and General Secretary of VBF, in accordance with the provisions of the VBF's Charter of Operations approved by the Ministry of Home Affairs . The time from receiving the power of attorney is until the end of March 2026. During the time when the President's power of attorney has not been received, the Standing Committee and the Executive Committee of VBF unanimously authorize the management of VBF to Mr. Nguyen Duy Hung - Vice President and General Secretary".

VBF also said that the federation is responsible for ensuring the organization of competitions for provincial, municipal and industry units in tournaments within the national competition system; Ensuring the establishment and international competition of the Vietnamese team. Any activities outside this scope of federation members are personal matters and individuals must be responsible for their actions before the law. "Up to this point, VBF has not received any official notification from the competent authorities about the personal activities of VBF President Luu Tu Bao in the past, or during the time he was not in Vietnam. Mr. Luu Tu Bao's personal and judicial records were confirmed by the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Home Affairs, and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism before he ran for the Executive Committee for the second term (2023 - 2028). The Standing Committee and the Executive Committee of VBF agree that in the case of Mr. Luu Tu Bao personally, if there is an official conclusion from domestic and international authorities about his violation of the law, the Standing Committee and the Executive Committee of VBF will organize a conference to request permission to hold an extraordinary congress to elect a new president, ensuring the smooth direction and implementation of all VBF activities in accordance with legal regulations and still ensuring the operating budget of VBF until the end of the second term (2023 - 2028)," said the announcement of VBF.

In addition, VBF also said it will report in writing to the leaders of the Vietnam Sports Administration, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Ministry of Home Affairs and relevant authorities on the above contents.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/vbf-chon-nguoi-dieu-hanh-thay-the-ong-luu-tu-bao-185250905223040667.htm