NEWSLETTER EUBC by President Franco Falcinelli

AIBA Extraordinary Congress: Full success for the new IBA President  Umar Kremlev.

Dear Boxing Friends,

December 12, the day of AIBA Extraordinary Congress, will remain a historic date for Olympic boxing: the overwhelming majority of the delegates greeted the birth with enthusiasm of IBA, International Boxing Association, which after 75 years of rewarding and intense career – sends AIBA into retirement!

The beginning of the new era of Olympic boxing does not begin on the same day, but on the day when the AIBA Congress entrusted the uncertain future of Olympic boxing to a young Russian businessman Umar Kremlev.

Since then, our sport has regained confidence in its future, certainty in the competition calendar and pride to be a part of something unique thanks to the solution of enormous financial, managerial and ethical-sporting problems.

Umar Kremlev in a very short time managed to achieve all the objectives he had announced in the electoral campaign and, above all, to resolve those required by the IOC, as a “condition sine qua non” to regain the qualification.

I would like to share with you some thoughts on the media coverage that followed decisions of the last IOC Board Meeting.

Honestly, I expected that AIBA deserved a truly and loyal recognition of solidarity from the IOC,

• for the enormous work of regulatory compliance, suggested by a great Specialist like Prof. Ulrich Haas and his staff;
• for the recovery of financial stability;
• for the determination to adopt, within a few months, a new Scoring System;

         Everybody knows that Boxing is an Olympic sport rather complicated to judge.

The Report by President Kremlev promptly highlighted that we are at the completion and not at the beginning of the path that the IOC advised us in order to regain Olympic recognition. Therefore, it was the right time to praise and acknowledge the enormous work carried out by the AIBA President Umar Kremlev under his brief leadership.

The ongoing pressure and a threat of exclusion from the Olympic Games program – Paris 2024 and Los Angeles 2028 – brings enormous damage to the ethical-social-institutional image and consequently economic loss for our National Federations. The IBA Family has shown that it is united and fully aware of new challenges they need to face to revive Olympic boxing around the world.

The boxing culture has always taught us to fight and we will win!

Very appreciated the Report presented by IBA Secretary General Mr. Istvan Kovacs, Prof Ulrich Haas Chairman of “Governance Reform Group”, CFO Mr. Rob Garea and R&J Committee Chair Mr. Chris Roberts and Claude Ramoni, AIBA Legal Department.

AIBA pre-Congress European Forum

Prior to Extraordinary Сongress, AIBA held 5 continental forums. They were dedicated to a thorough discussion of all recommendations and constitutional amendments with the National Federations, which were subsequently presented at the Congress. More than 130 countries were registered to participate in forums from Asia, Africa, America, Europe and Oceania. 

On 3December during EUBC – AIBA Forum Umar Kremlev gave a welcome speech to the participants and thanked the Presidents of the National Federations for their devotion and great contribution to the development of boxing

AIBA President opened the meeting saying “We are waiting for an important event for our organization – the upcoming AIBA Extraordinary Congress. National Federations will vote to adopt constitutional amendments that will give a new impetus to the development of AIBA, will allow us to become more transparent and provide efficient work for the benefit of our sport. AIBA delivers continued reforms in all areas and independent experts led by Professor Ulrich Haas will allow achieving a level of governance that is best practice for international federations”.

I couldn’t help but remarked in my welcome speech that many problems of the past have been solved thanks to careful and collegial management of AIBA Governance and united spirit of Confederations Boards.

Mr Yury Zaytsev, AIBA Legal Counsel, presented constitutional amendments while Mr. Chris Roberts, Chairperson of the AIBA R&J Committee presented a pilot project for the New Scoring System.

R&J 1-Star Course in Salerno

From November 24 to 28 the city of Salerno, Italy hosted an important AIBA 1-Star R&J course for continental referees and judges. Twenty two participants followed the theoretical-practical lessons delivered by AIBA Instructors John Waith and Andrew Caulfield. A National Tournament organized by Italian Boxing Federation that lasted 3 days allowed also the assessment of their global capabilities.

Congratulations on re-election

The last but not the least good news of our monthly meeting is related to a brilliant re-election of Nenad Borovcanin as the Head of Serbian Boxing Federation. It was under his leadership that very important goals were achieved and the way of Boxing development was correctly formulated. His name is associated with one of the most spectacular boxing event of the third Millennium, the last AIBA Men’s World Boxing Championships held in Belgrade last November. On behalf of all European boxing movement, I wish to Nenad and his Board of Directors, the best for a successful future.

Tournaments November 2021:

• 50th Golden Gong tournament (Elite Men) – Skopje, North Macedonia
• BOXAM Internacional Costa Blanca Junio M/W, Youth M/W) – Alicante, Spain

At the end of the year tormented by the pandemic and by the uncertainty of our future we can say that its conclusion is encouraging and rewarding, with great prospects that will demonstrate that Olympic Boxing is healthy, efficient and forward-looking.

Happy Christmas Holidays and Happy New Year 2022!