An impressive line-up of esteemed boxers and industry experts have been confirmed as part of the program for the athlete-centered Global Boxing Forum, set to take place in Dubai on 9 December 2023 following the IBA Ordinary Congress.

It sees the Forum return to the United Arab Emirates after a successful third edition last year in Abu Dhabi.

With 2024 around the corner, the International Boxing Association (IBA) looks to the future – discussing how to best support boxers, tying in with this year’s overarching theme of “Protecting the Physical, Mental and Financial Health of our Athletes”.

Focused on unity, there will be opportunity for discussion among attendees on how to best support and shape the sport in the years ahead.

A senior representative from the UAE Boxing Federation will welcome attendees before passing over to President of the IBA, Umar Kremlev, for his address.

Secretary General and CEO of the IBA, Chris Roberts OBE, will be on the first panel of the day: “Financial Support Program as a tool to excel” with Dutch-born boxer and IBA Champions’ Night winner Megan de Cler.

Following this, Chris Roberts will deliver an overview on “The Future Look of IBA Competitions as Champions’ Night Gains Momentum”, with the eighth edition of Champions’ Night taking place after the Forum. In the main event, Olympic champion Albert Batyrgaziev from Russia and Cuban three-time world champion Lazaro Alvarez are to fight over 10 rounds in the 60kg weight category, for the first IBA professional title. Four IBA professional bouts are scheduled, as well as three professional fights.

IBA Board of Directors Members Marta Forcen Celaya, Kristy Harris, and Zsuzsanna Toth will be joined by Dr Graziella Thake, CEO of the Optimisation Hub to discuss “Mental and Physical Health, Athletes’ Well-being”.

IBA world champion and Olympic gold medallist Estelle Mossely will be joined by Azhar Muhammad-Saul, Chief Operating Officer and Partner, Paradigm Sports, to speak about the panel topic “Building your Brand as an Athlete and Life After Sport”.

The Global Boxing Forum will also provide the backdrop for a panel session on the introduction of IBA’s New Generation Scoring System which will be chaired by Secretary General and CEO of the IBA, Chris Roberts OBE, where he is joined by panelists from the Japan Boxing Federation, LiveMedia Corporation, and Unixon Systems.

The final panel session of the day will be on “Diversity and Inclusion within Boxing – Where we are and where we need to be!”, featuring IBA Board of Directors Member and Chair of the IBA Diversity Committee, Pearl Dlamini; and fellow Board members Dian Gomes and Kristy Harris.

Following President Kremlev’s closing remarks at the Global Boxing Forum, the hosting of the inaugural Global and Continental Journalists Awards presented by the President will take place. The Forum will conclude with Q&A session between the IBA President and journalists present.

A livestream of the Global Boxing Forum will be available, and the full program can be found here.

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