International Boxing Association (IBA) President Umar Kremlev has underlined IBA’s commitment to supporting boxers worldwide, speaking at the official weigh-in and final face-offs in Tashkent ahead of IBA NOMAD 16. He also addressed freedom of choice for athletes, offered a rematch in the disputed Shumkov–Kholokov bout and announced a title defence for Hasanboy Dusmatov.

Responding to thanks for IBA’s support of athletes, Mr. Kremlev stressed that helping boxers is the organisation’s core responsibility.

“There is no need to thank us. It is our duty and our obligation to help athletes, so that they do not have to worry about where to find equipment or how to get to competitions. IBA is the international home of boxing. We are obliged to help every boxer, wherever they are in the world.

“The main thing is that boxers compete and bring joy to the spectators. Why do they compete on the international stage? To represent their country, to make their people happy, and to feel pride when their national flag is raised and their anthem is played. Athletes must think about achieving good results and not letting down the coaches and mentors who devote their whole lives to bringing an athlete to the very highest level,” Mr. Kremlev said.

Asked about young athletes choosing IBA tournaments over those of World Boxing, the IBA President explained why the organisation removed the barrier between amateur and professional boxing.

“Our main goal is for boxers to have no restrictions. Why did we remove the barrier between amateurs and professionals? Not everyone can become a world champion or an Olympic champion in the amateurs, and not everyone can become a world champion in the professionals. That is why we removed that barrier. Some go to one tournament, some to another. But the main tournament for every boxer is the IBA World Championships. It is higher than the Olympic Games. Olympic medallists qualify automatically for the World Championships,” he said.

Mr. Kremlev added that IBA is not seeking rivalry with other organisations, and that its focus remains on the athletes and coaches themselves.

“We are not looking for competitors and we do not intend to compete with anyone. The whole world is free. Try things, do things – there are no prohibitions. What we want is for athletes and coaches to be happy and to have the opportunities to which they dedicate their lives,” Mr. Kremlev said.

Addressing the controversy over the bite alleged after the Shumkov–Kholokov bout, the IBA President proposed a rematch, with purses at the level of the IBA World Championships.

“I love Uzbekistan and the people of Uzbekistan. We create the conditions. This is a contentious situation, and there are international rules. If the bite had affected the outcome of the bout, then of course there would have been an immediate disqualification. It was only a week after the bout that it was said an ear had been bitten. He did not even feel it, and the bout went on. So, to avoid any dispute, let us have a rematch – five rounds, eight rounds, with the same purses as at the World Championships. That would be fair. We can hold it in Tashkent, in Moscow, in Dubai, wherever. Are the boxers ready? I have made the offer: purses at World Championships level,” Mr. Kremlev said.

IBA NOMAD 16 will take place in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, on Saturday 17 October, headlined by Kazakhstan’s Bekzhan Bakirov and Russia’s Murad Khalidov.

Asked whether IBA plans to bring more IBA NOMAD and IBA.PRO events to Uzbekistan, Mr. Kremlev announced plans to stage a title defence bout in Tashkent featuring Hasanboy Dusmatov. He added that IBA is also waiting to organise a bout for Olympic champion Bakhodir Jalolov.

“We are waiting for boxers from Uzbekistan to be ready. Hasanboy is already ready – he will have his bout now. We are waiting to organise a bout for Bakhodir Jalolov. It is time to move to another level, to fight for world titles and defend them. Opponents must come from the top ten.

“We are ready to organise. Unfortunately, there are not many boxers today who are ready for these bouts. They are boxing in other leagues, in America and elsewhere. I am sure they will make the decision. Home is better. It is good everywhere, but home is better. And IBA pays more. They will come back and start competing here,” he said.

The IBA President also confirmed that the bare-knuckle champion will receive $1 million next year, highlighting how far prize money in the sport has come.

“Prize money in amateur boxing used to be $200,000 or $300,000. Step by step, we have raised it. Today, the prize fund at the World Championships is $20 million, and the winner will receive $1 million. Next year, the bare-knuckle champion will also receive $1 million,” Mr. Kremlev said.

Mr. Kremlev also announced special prizes for IBA NOMAD 16: the best knockout of the night will be rewarded with a car from Rolf, while three of the best fans will each receive a car as well. He underlined the special place boxing holds in Uzbekistan’s sporting culture.

“Uzbekistan is a boxing country. People here love boxing and they value tradition. Bare-knuckle fighting is the history of boxing, and that is exactly why we are holding these bouts here in Uzbekistan. I wish all the fans a spectacular show tomorrow. Every bout is competitive, and our goal is to ensure the highest level of competition at our tournaments.

“We have also prepared a surprise: for the best knockout, we will present a car from Rolf, and the three best fans will receive three cars from Rolf,” the IBA President said.