Jamaica yet to weigh in on boxing bodies’ impasse
Published:Wednesday | May 3, 2023 | 12:58 AMDaniel Wheeler/Staff Reporter
THERE IS no word just yet from the Jamaica Boxing Association (JBA) or the Jamaica Olympic Association (JOA) on where the bodies stand on an impasse between governing body, the International Boxing Association (IBA) and breakaway body World Boxing.
Jamaica are in the middle of competing in the IBA-run World Boxing Championships, which lies at the crux of the matter.
The championships has allowed Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete under their flags in the competition, a decision that caused the United States and Britain to pull out of the qualification tournament for the 2024 Olympics in Paris.
Pulling out would likely mean that boxers from those countries would not be able to compete at the Olympics. Thus, the countries formed World Boxing and are now seeking International Olympic Committee (IOC) approval to get their athletes back into Olympic contention.
In the midst of that issue is the strained relationship between the IBA and the IOC following the former’s suspension in 2019 on account of governance, finance, and ethical issues.
IBA president Umar Kremlev said he hopes for a resolution while blasting World Boxing for not thinking about their athletes before forming the breakaway group.
Kremlev was speaking on Monday as the championships got under way in Uzbekistan.
On the other hand, World Boxing reportedly has an interim board and indicated that there would be no bar on any national federation being a member of both organisations. However, Kremlev has taken exception to that, stating that the IBA is the only body that can govern the sport worldwide.
“We say that there’s always a black sheep in our family, there are always people who go their own ways ... . Someone tried to register an international association from their garage. Why should we even consider them?” Kremlev said.
“Those who want to leave and go to another association, all I can say is: ‘We have only one association. We have the right to govern boxing, and the IBA has the right to organise tournaments’.”
A commission, consisting of the continental presidents, was formed to deal with the complex matters, and Kremlev said that the IBA has met the requirements of the IOC and believes that an outcome on the issue will come shortly.
“And I think we will be coming to a conclusion very soon because IBA has no problem with the recommendations of the IOC. All of the requirements and requests have been complied with,” said Kremlev.
Boxing has not yet been confirmed for the 2028 Olympics, scheduled for Los Angeles, and when asked about the likelihood that it would remain a part of the programme, he said that the IBA would act in the best interest of the athletes.
“Those parties (breakaway countries) are not supporting their athletes. They have not been supporting with the shorts, or the gloves, or anything. They are just screaming out the mottos. They are keener on earning from boxing than developing. They have no desire to develop it, to invest in it,” Kremlev said.
“The Olympics are more about the athletes. People come to watch the athletes, not to watch the authorities or the VIPs. The athletes are the most important.
“I don’t know what decision we will have from the authorities. We are not trying to intervene and change their decision, but we will be trying to support and get our rights and freedoms to be in place.”
The IBA’s chief executive, George Yerolimpos, said the IBA would respond to the IOC’s latest request for details on governance reforms and changes on Friday.
The Gleaner understands that the JOA is to discuss the matter with the JBA. Jamaica is a member of the IBA.
Meanwhile, it was a tough day for Jamaica on day two of the championships as Daniel Hylton was defeated by Nigeria’s Ige Ridwan by unanimous decision in the Light Welterweight class.