Since December 2020, the International Boxing Association (IBA) has changed beyond recognition: unprecedented financial support for athletes, honest refereeing, and growing international influence. IBA President Umar Kremlev talks about how they managed to make a revolution in the world of boxing.

The IBA has become the only organization in the history of boxing that provides real assistance to boxers. How long did it take?
— I have always said that sports officials should serve athletes. We are for them, not them for us. Already at the very beginning of 2021, we began to provide direct financial support. This includes the purchase of equipment and the allocation of funds for participation in competitions. The IBA allocates funds to national boxing federations for projects related to the development of our sport, in exchange for detailed estimates, photo and video reports. The total amount of financial support to boxers and federations is more than $10 million annually. The main task of functionaries is to provide athletes with opportunities at all levels. And it works. Athletes who receive support win medals. To date, the IBA is the only organization with athletes on the podium, not politics.

What other difficulties did you have to face at the beginning of the journey?
— We accepted an IBA with multimillion-dollar debts. We found partners and sponsors, formed a team of professionals, provided stable financing, and closed all obligations. Yes, it was difficult, but we achieved our goal. This is what distinguishes us from other organizations — fewer words, more deeds.

You are known for fighting for fair refereeing. How did you manage to cope with this task?
Yes, we had to review the entire judging panel. To do this, we have recruited one of the most respected experts in the field of sports law, Professor Richard McLaren.
After the audit, everyone who could be biased was excluded from the pool. A review system was introduced for fights that ended with a score of 3:2. Now, even with a questionable decision, the outcome is fair. The IBA has invested in the training of judges, and this has helped create one of the strongest and most transparent systems.

IBA’s charitable activities are also of interest.
— I consider it my duty to help. The main thing is that help reaches those who need it. We are one big boxing family. And the task of sports officials, I emphasize this once again, is to provide their athletes with everything necessary for life, comfortable training, and the opportunity to participate in competitions. I’m in charge of boxing. And, of course, I try to help the boxers as much as possible. We are developing sports in those countries where it is underdeveloped. We send equipment for boxing organizations, we help professional athletes who find themselves in difficult life situations, for example, there was an injury or trouble in the family. They make various requests. We always try to help. This is our task and the impulse of our soul. Because we are one family.
Sometimes assistance is not even expressed in financial terms, but in basic support. In providing opportunities for legal protection, protection from haight, defending the rights of athletes in the international arena to perform under their own flag, with their own anthem, and to defend the honor of the country. We defend the right of justice in sports, where women should compete with women, men with men. We stand for traditional values and the absence of third genders.

IBA is an organization in which prize money changes destinies. Tell us more about it.
— My goal is for athletes not only to earn medals, but to provide for themselves and their loved ones with their excellent results. Since 2021, we have paid out about $25 million in prize money. Tournament winners can afford to buy housing, cars, and financially support their families. Work should be rewarded.
Athletes are those people who have devoted their whole lives to sports. Having trained hard since childhood, they denied themselves something, suffered hardships, sacrificed their personal lives, spent all their time in gyms, worked hard, studied the history of sports, honed sports equipment and skills, so their work deserves a good reward. And, most importantly, the work of their team.
Because behind every successful athlete there is a whole team of people who helped him get to where he is. This is the entire coaching staff. And my task, as a sports functionary, is to help them develop, support them in everything, including with good prizes.

And how does the IBA support low-income athletes and federations?
— The IBA includes the national federations of 191 countries from all continents. Despite the fact that we do not have contributions for participation in tournaments, it is an unbearable financial burden for athletes from some countries to come to the competition.
Let me remind you that the task of the international association is to develop sports, popularize it and bring cool, strong, worthy athletes to the international arena. Therefore, in situations where an athlete does not have the means, we always give him a chance — we pay for travel and accommodation. If necessary, we help him with the equipment. When an athlete makes an effort to reach an excellent level and can compete, we will definitely help him.

How much money does the IBA live on?
— There are many sources. The main ones are partners and sponsors who want to associate their name with our association, tournament fees, marketing, and TV rights. For example, the women’s World Boxing Championship was broadcast in more than 80 countries — this is the result! Boxing is one of the most popular sports in the world. The partners see it. They see the interest of the audience and, of course, they are ready to invest in our sport and in our tournaments.

You have launched a unique system of titles and competition formats. How was it created?
— Our flagship is the World Cup. We conduct it in three age categories in the men’s and women’s divisions. We have introduced a professional direction — IBA PRO, where you can earn money without leaving Olympic boxing. Our medals are not just symbols: the gold medal is really made of pure gold. We have built a system in which an athlete gets everything — experience, recognition, money.

How does the IBA build partnerships with federations?
— The IBA includes 191 national federations. Boxers are a large international family in which it is customary to help and support each other and not cause obstacles. I personally visit many countries, meet with presidents and heads of government, and discuss the development of boxing. Each country has its own specifics, where there are more young athletes, where women’s boxing is stronger. We have an individual approach to each federation.
Partnership with national federations is based on the principle of a common love for boxing, a unity in which we allow each country to be itself: to preserve its identity, flag, cultural values. Regardless of faith or nationality, we are united and united. Of course, our approach to work plays an important role, where we put athletes and their coaching staff on a pedestal. People come to them and the whole sport exists around them. Therefore, we try to create conditions in which it will be convenient for them: we do not take contributions for participation, pay decent prize money, help if necessary, support and protect. The national federations that interact with us are comfortable on these terms, because they respond to the values that we carry in our boxing family and that we broadcast to the world.

What IBA events have been held this year and what else is planned?
— In March, we held the Women’s World Cup in Serbia. The Men’s World Cup is ahead, and the host country will be announced soon. The Asian Championship is taking place in Sri Lanka in May. There are continental tournaments coming up. New areas have appeared — fistfights and esports.
A press conference will be held in Istanbul in June, where we will present a new strategy, new tournaments and initiatives. The IBA does not stand still.

IBA and the Arab world — what kind of relations are being built?
— We cooperate very closely with the UAE and other Arab countries. We hold joint tournaments, training sessions, and launch educational and charity projects. It’s a friendship based
on mutual respect. We have a common goal — to develop sports and bring people together.
Arab athletes have been in our boxing family for a long time. We are always respected and friendly.

How do you see the future of IBA?
— IBA is the only organization with a proven system and history. We are the only ones and the leaders. We are not going to give up our positions and will only move forward.There are more and more of our tournaments, the competitions themselves are bright, people love our spectacular events, there is a great demand. Of course, we only plan to grow, develop and move forward.
For me, boxing is not a job, but a vocation. It’s a life’s work. We are taking sports to a new level and giving thousands of talented people around the world a chance to prove themselves.

You have become a trustee and mentor of the Russian Cross Foundation. Why this particular project?
— The name is due to the unification of native Russian Orthodox traditions and values. Despite the fact that the foundation is called the Russian Cross, we provide targeted assistance to families in difficult situations, regardless of their nationality, religion, or place of residence.
We do not attract donations from people, but we unite them around us, encouraging them to be merciful, attentive and responsive. My mother taught me this from childhood. It’s my heart’s desire, I can’t get past someone else’s pain. I understand that I cannot help everyone alone. That’s why I bring people together around a common idea.

What is the uniqueness of the «Russian Cross»?
— He works without donations. We take responsibility for ourselves. We are not waiting for mercy, but we are acting. This is a principled approach. We unite people and urge them to be merciful, not to ignore other people’s problems. Be more attentive, vigilant, and compassionate. We urge businesses to be socially oriented — to help financially, to work for the benefit of people.

There are already results. Tell us about your first stories of help.
— We helped four children from Russia, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. They have severe diagnoses, they needed urgent treatment, medications, and rehabilitation. We did not delay the time, we promptly responded to the request. For parents, this is an opportunity to cure their child, and for children, it is life.
That’s what it’s all about.

In the first few weeks, more than 400 requests were received. Aren’t you afraid that you won’t be able to handle the volume?
— Being afraid is not our way. We’ve committed ourselves, so we’ll do it. We have a strong team, the right approach, and most importantly, a sincere desire to help. People are attracted to those who don’t betray. And we will not betray.

The Foundation is based on the values of unity, mercy, and compassion. What is it for you personally?
— This is my inner support. We all have to stay human, especially when it’s difficult. There is a lot of cynicism in the world, but we are restoring faith. In goodness, in justice, in the fact that someone else’s misfortune does not happen. I always say: the strong one is the one who protects, not the one who speaks the loudest.

You regularly meet with world leaders. What does world sport get when it is brought to the level of international diplomacy?
— Sport is a universal language that is understood all over the world. When I meet with presidents — whether it’s Palestine, Israel, Russia, Cuba, the Vatican or China — I don’t just talk about boxing. I’m talking about peace, equal opportunities, and how you can change lives through sport. We are negotiating programs, educational projects, and assistance to young athletes. Sport
is a bridge between cultures and peoples.
Such meetings allow us to promote the values of justice, equality and support, regardless of the political situation.

Many people remember how you achieved the return of flags and anthems for Russian and Belarusian boxers at IBA competitions. Was it a difficult decision?
— Was it the right decision. I’ve always said that sports are outside politics. An athlete’s right to compete should not be taken away just because of where he was born. We at IBA defend this principle. Every athlete deserves to defend the honor of his country under his own flag and anthem. And to deprive him of this opportunity is like depriving him of his mother. We are for justice and equality.
This is my principle, and I stand by it.

Tell us about your international initiatives related to the education and social support of athletes.
— I’m from sports myself, I know how hard it can be for guys after their careers end. That is why, together with universities, the United Nations, and international institutions, we are launching educational programs: «Sports Management» for those who want to stay in the industry, but in a different role. We create real chances for new beginnings. We are also working with UNITAR, the UN Training Institute, to combine sport and sustainable development goals. These are not big words, this is a job that I believe in.

Your Fair Chance Team project has become a breakthrough. What is behind this initiative?
— We created this project for those athletes who cannot represent their countries for humanitarian reasons. People are losing their homes, their citizenship, but they should not lose the chance. We give them the opportunity to train, perform, and build a career. It’s not about politics, it’s about humanity.

What is the place of social activity in your life?
— I am a social activist. And everything I do is aimed at society, for the benefit of people. Whether it’s charity programs or sports development, helping athletes. It reflects my inner values. I want people to share them with me. That’s why I talk about it so much and often.