Presidents of more than 20 boxing federations supported the FBU and the junior team of Ukraine

Presidents and representatives 20 boxing federations from all over the world came out in support Boxing Federation of Ukraine and Ukrainian boxers. Heads of associations sent a collective letter to the board of directors International Boxing Association (IBA) with the requirement to explain the reasons for the infringement of athletes.

Below is the text of the letter to the IBA management:

“We were shocked to see how quickly your decision to suspend the Ukrainian Boxing Federation due to alleged “government interference” led to dire consequences for the Ukrainian junior team and damaged the integrity of the continental championship.”

“Ukrainian junior boxers set off to represent their brave country at the European Junior Boxing Championships held in Montesilvano, Italy from September 27 to October 4, 2022. Upon arrival, they reported that the IBA would not allow this and were ordered to compete under the IBA flag. This led to many fights that were decided without result, since Ukrainian boxers refused to enter the ring under such conditions. It should be noted that the later decision to invite the Ukrainian national team to play under its own flag as an “exception” could not repair the damage already done. Most of the team decided to immediately return to Ukraine, as a sign of solidarity with the athletes who had already lost in an uninterrupted move.

This situation requires further clarification from the IBA Board of Directors, in particular:

– On what evidence was your decision of September 23, 2022 to suspend the Boxing Federation of Ukraine for “state interference” based?

– Have all parties, including the legal representatives of the Boxing Federation of Ukraine, received a proper opportunity to be heard in your decision in accordance with Article 13.2 of the IBA Statutes?

In conclusion, we note that the issue of suspension of the Boxing Federation of Ukraine was not submitted for consideration by the IBA Congress in Yerevan, which is a violation of Article 13.3 of the IBA Charter.”

“We stand in solidarity with the Ukrainian boxing family and demand justice for Ukrainian boxers and the Boxing Federation of Ukraine.”

The letter was signed by the heads of the associations of the USA, Australia, Canada, France, the Philippines, Mexico and a number of other countries.

Earlier, the Ukrainian junior boxing team left the European Championship, which takes place in Italy. This decision was made after the International Boxing Federation (IBA) did not allow the Ukrainian team to compete in Italian Montesilvano under the national flag.

Recall that due to the conflict between the FBU and the IBA, the junior team of Ukraine was forced to compete at the European Boxing Championship under a neutral flag. However, Ukrainian athletes held a protest against this decision and refused to compete at the European Championships.

President of the Boxing Federation of Ukraine Kirill Shevchenko said that the decision of the IBA is directly related to Volodymyr Prodivus, who holds the post of vice president in the organization. Prodivus himself, commenting on the scandal with the Ukrainian team, promised to resolve the situation.

Earlier, the IBA suspended the activities of the Boxing Federation of Ukraine. The organization considered that the state bodies of Ukraine were interfering in the work of the sports organization.