The IBA’s latest edition of their bi-yearly tournament kicked off yesterday with the preliminary, quarters and semi-final stages running until December 11.
The tournament takes place over two sessions with the afternoon session from 5pm-9pm local time (1pm-5pm GMT) and then the evening session begin at 9:30pm running through midnight local time (5:30PM-8PM GMT.)
Who is fighting?
The tournament hosts some of the sport’s most promising amateur talent including multiple time Olympic champions, national champions and many more.
Over 100 nations and 400 boxers are set to compete in Dubai including six from Britain.
Some of the standout talent set to showcase their skills include:
- Julio La Cruz (CUB) – Two-time Olympic champion
- Hasanboy Dusmatov (UZB) – Two-time Olympic champion
- Abdumalik Khalokov (UZB) – Olympic champion
- Loren Alfonso Dominguez (AZE) – Paris 2024 Olympic finalist
- Nurbek Oralbay (KAZ) – Paris 2024 Olympic finalist
- Aibek Oralbay (KAZ) – Two-time Asian champion
- Mohamad Mehdi Sahak (Eng)
- Vincent Mandair (Eng)
- Leo Church (Scot)
- Alan Perrie (Scot)
- Robert McNulty (Scot)
- Nicholas Devlin (Scot)
There is a record-breaking prize pot on the line where the boxers take 50 per cent of the prize pot, 25 per cent goes to the coaches and team and the remaining funds go to the fighter’s national teams.
A total of $8.32m (6.3m) is set to be split in this format:
- 1st place: $300,000 (£227,000)
- 2nd place: $150,000 (£113,650)
- Joint 3rd place: $75,000 (£56,800)
- 5th place: $10,000 (£7,500)
Who is part of the IBA team?
Umar Kremlev, formerly of the Olympics is the International Boxing Association President, spoke on the event.
“This December, we will set a new benchmark in the history of boxing.
“The Men’s Elite World Championships in Dubai will not simply be a competition, it will be a global festival of boxing; unmatched in scale, talent, and spirit. With over 95 national federations to date participating and world-class athletes such as Hasanboy Dustmatov and the legendary Julio La Cruz of Cuba, this event will be one of the finest showcases the sport has ever seen.
“The IBA is not just an organiser; we are the global authority in boxing. We understand our audience because we are the sport, we live it, shape it, and elevate it. Our subject matter expertise goes beyond what others know, and this championship will be a testament to the IBA’s leadership, vision, and legacy.”
Alongside Kremlev & CEO Chris Roberts, eight-weight world champion Manny Pacquiao was announced as the vice-president of the IBA.
Kubrat Pulev vs Murat Gassiev
At the end of the tournament the IBA will also host a night of professional boxing on the December 12.
Kubrat Pulev is set to defend his WBA interim world title against Murat Gassiev, he was originally ordered to face Moses Itauma but that was later scrapped.
There is a star-studded undercard also set to take place.
Muhammed Ali’s grandson Nico Ali Walsh (11,2,1) is set to take on Jeremiah Sserwadda (12,4,1) at the Duty Free Tennis Stadium.
Yorkshire’s Maxi Hughes travels to try and win a WBA lightweight title eliminator against Bakhodur Usmonov (11,0,0).
Alongside over a week of talent on show the IBA promises some star-studded guests to be present in Dubai just a few of the names set to travel to the event include:
- Ben Whittaker
- Darren Till
- Fabio Wardley
- Dave Allen
- George Groves
- Castillo
- Spencer Oliver
- Paul Smith
- Rampage Jackson
- Frazer Clarke
Global pop-star Rick Ross kicked off the event with a spectacular opening ceremony.
Recently announced WBC number one welterweight, Conor Benn is also set to be in attendance throughout the event.
Finally, former heavyweight world champion Deontay Wilder will be present following his stoppage win over Tyrell Herndon back in June.
Wilder was recently called out by two-time undisputed world champion Oleksandr Usyk when speaking to Boxing King Media.
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