Istanbul, Türkiye | 27 November – 4 December 2026
The first chapter of IBA Elite
The inaugural IBA President’s Cup brings together elite amateur and professional boxers for a new international competition in Istanbul, Türkiye.
With a total prize fund of USD 3 million, 12 men’s weight categories and IBA World Ranking Points at stake, the tournament marks the launch of IBA Elite — a new competition platform connecting international boxing, sporting achievement and opportunities for professional development.
The President’s Cup will conclude with its finals at Sinan Erdem Sports Arena on 4 December 2026.
Event at a glance
- Host city: Istanbul, Türkiye
- Competition dates: 27 November – 4 December 2026
- Opening ceremony: 26 November 2026
- Finals: 4 December 2026
- Prize fund: USD 3 million
- Weight categories: 12 Elite Men’s divisions
- Competition format: Open international, single elimination
- Participants: Eligible amateur and professional boxers
Competition venues
Preliminary rounds to semi-finals
Muhsin Yazıcıoğlu Sports Complex, Istanbul
Finals — 4 December
Sinan Erdem Sports Arena, Istanbul
Competition schedule
| Date | Programme |
| 25 November | Team arrivals and sport entries check |
| 26 November | Technical meeting, official draw and opening ceremony |
| 27 November – 2 December | Preliminary rounds, quarter-finals and semi-finals |
| 3 December | Rest day |
| 4 December | IBA President’s Cup finals |
| 5 December | Team departures |
Preliminary competition sessions are normally scheduled for 14:00 and 18:00 local time. The starting time of the finals will be announced separately.
The detailed bout schedule and competition brackets will be available following the official draw.
Weight categories
The inaugural President’s Cup will feature 12 men’s weight categories:
50 kg · 52 kg · 55 kg · 60 kg · 65 kg · 70 kg · 75 kg · 80 kg · 85 kg · 90 kg · 100 kg · +100 kg
All President’s Cup bouts will consist of three rounds of three minutes, with one-minute rest periods between rounds.
The competition will follow a single-elimination format, with no seeding in the official draw.
Prize money
USD 3 million total prize fund
The President’s Cup will reward medal-winning performances across all 12 weight categories.
| Result | Prize money |
| Gold medallist | USD 100,000 |
| Silver medallist | USD 50,000 |
| Bronze medallist | USD 25,000 each |
Boxers eliminated before reaching the semi-finals will receive USD 1,000 for each preliminary bout won.
Prize money is distributed between the boxer (50%), coach (25%) and National Federation (25%), subject to the applicable regulations and participation conditions.
Preliminary bout bonuses and final placement awards are not cumulative.
The beginning of IBA Elite
The IBA President’s Cup 2026 marks the launch of IBA Elite, a new international competition platform designed to provide boxers with regular opportunities to compete against high-level opposition.
IBA Elite creates a structured sporting pathway based on competitive results, connecting international tournaments, the IBA World Ranking and qualification for major IBA competitions.
The programme is open to eligible amateur and professional boxers, while maintaining a clear distinction between IBA Elite competition and the separate IBA.PRO professional boxing programme.
Strong performances within IBA Elite may also create opportunities for boxers to progress towards IBA.PRO.
IBA World Ranking
The President’s Cup will open a new IBA World Ranking cycle, with points awarded according to each boxer’s final placement.
| Final placement | Ranking points |
| Champion | 1,000 |
| Silver medallist | 700 |
| Bronze medallist | 500 |
| Quarter-finalist / 5th place | 250 |
| Round of 16 / 9th place | 100 |
Ranking points will contribute to each boxer’s international standing and play an important role in qualification for future editions of the President’s Cup and the IBA World Championships.
IBA.PRO world title fight at the finals
Hasanboy Dusmatov (UZB) vs Roderick Bautista (PHI)
IBA.PRO World Title | 52.2 kg | 10 rounds
Two-time Olympic champion Hasanboy Dusmatov will challenge for the IBA.PRO world title against the Philippines’ Roderick Bautista on 4 December.
The Uzbek boxer, who won Olympic gold at Rio 2016 and Paris 2024, will look to add a professional world championship title to his achievements.
The contest will take place alongside the President’s Cup finals at Sinan Erdem Sports Arena, bringing professional title boxing to the closing programme of the inaugural tournament.
Participation and registration
The IBA President’s Cup welcomes eligible amateur and professional boxers through National Federation entries and approved individual participation pathways.
Each National Federation may enter a maximum of one boxer per weight category.
Individual participation requests are subject to IBA eligibility and sporting criteria, including a minimum of 20 verified amateur or professional bouts.
For the 2026 competition, boxers must be aged 19–40 during the calendar year.
Registration deadlines
Registration for the inaugural edition has closed.
Official documents
IBA President’s Cup 2026 — Team Delegations’ Handbook
The official handbook contains detailed information on competition rules, participation requirements, weight categories, prize money, accreditation, accommodation, travel, medical requirements and event procedures.
Download the Team Delegations’ Handbook
Istanbul 2026: a week of international boxing
The President’s Cup finals will take place during a major gathering of the international boxing community in Istanbul.
The Global Boxing Forum will be held on 4 December, bringing together representatives of the sport to discuss its development and future.
The IBA Ordinary Election Congress will follow on 5 December.
Together, the President’s Cup, Global Boxing Forum and Congress will bring athletes, coaches, National Federations and boxing officials to Istanbul for a series of major international events.
