AIBA Push Forward With Plans To Reform Sport Structure

The International Boxing Association (AIBA) has taken a further step towards implementing its major reform of the sport after receiving approval for its new business model.

The master business plan has been developed by international consulting company KPMG and involves both AIBA and its new marketing company Boxing Marketing Arm (BMA). The Association first announced its ambitious AIBA Professional Boxing (APB) plans in August and is seeking to establish a professional programme that will allow it to become the “true and respected leader” of the sport.

APB Executive Board received a final presentation of the AIBA and BMA business plan and approved it unanimously. This business plan will now need to be ratified by the AIBA Executive Committee in July. The plan includes the new AIBA administration and management embracing three major programmes in the shape of AIBA Olympic Boxing (AOB), drugs World Series of Boxing (WSB), which is currently engaged in its second season, and APB. It also includes the business plan for BMA, which AIBA states will “certainly be further enhanced” by the company once it is registered independently.

In a letter sent to all 194 AIBA national federations, AIBA president Dr Ching-Kuo Wu stated: “I would like to sincerely express my appreciation for your confidence and support on all new initiatives and efforts made to enhance the sport of boxing and our organisation for the betterment of all boxers.”

AIBA Professional Boxing is envisioned to comprise two core programmes in the form of an individual ranking competition and a worldwide competition. The individual ranking competition will see all APB boxers compete at different levels representing their country with the start of the programme set to coincide with the APB launch. The worldwide competition will be a global event for which each national federation can send APB boxers to represent their country. This programme will be developed a few years after the launch of AIBA Professional Boxing.