UK Boxing
International Boxing Association Announces Star Guests for ‘Boxing Festival’
The latest edition of the biennial IBA tournament began yesterday, with the qualifying, quarterfinal and semifinal stages lasting until December 11.
The tournament consists of two sessions, with the afternoon session running from 17:00 to 21:00 local time (13:00-17:00 GMT) and the evening session starting at 21:30 and lasting until midnight local time (17:30-20:00 GMT).
Who’s fighting?
The tournament features the sport’s most promising amateur talent, including multiple Olympic champions, national champions and many others.
More than 100 countries and 400 boxers will compete in Dubai, including six from Great Britain.
The exceptional talents who can showcase their skills include:
- Julio La Cruz (KUB) – Two-time Olympic champion
- Hasanboy Dusmatov (UZB) – two-time Olympic champion
- Abdumalik Khalokov (UZB) – Olympic champion
- Loren Alfonso Dominguez (AZE) – finalist of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games
- Nurbek Oralbay (KAZ) – finalist of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games
- Aibek Oralbay (KAZ) – Two-time Asian champion
- Mohamad Mehdi Sahak (English)
- Vincent Mandair (English)
- Leo’s Church (Scotland)
- Alan Perrie (Scotland)
- Robert McNulty (Scottish)
- Nicholas Devlin (Scotland)
There is a record prize pool at stake, with the boxers taking 50 percent of the prize pool, 25 percent going to the coaches and team, and the remaining funds going to the athlete’s national teams.
The total amount of $8.32 million (6.3 million) will be divided in the following format:
- 1st place: $300,000 (£227,000)
- 2nd place: $150,000 (£113,650)
- Joint third place: $75,000 (£56,800)
- 5th place: $10,000 (£7,500)
Who is part of the IBA team?
Umar Kremlev, former Olympic Games participant and president of the International Boxing Association, spoke during the event.
“In December we will set a modern benchmark in boxing history.
“The Elite Men’s World Championships in Dubai will not simply be a competition, it will be a global boxing festival; unparalleled in scale, talent and spirit. With over 95 national federations to date and world-class athletes such as Hasanboy Dustmatov and the legendary Julio La Cruz of Cuba, this event will be one of the sport’s greatest showcases ever.”
“The IBA is not just an organizer; we are the world authority in boxing. We understand our audience because we are the sport, we live it, shape it and uplift it. Our subject matter knowledge goes beyond what others know, and this championship will be a testament to the IBA’s leadership, vision and legacy.”
Along with Kremlev and CEO Chris Roberts, eight-time world champion Manny Pacquiao was announced as vice president of the IBA.
Kubrat Pulev vs. Murat Gassiev
At the end of the tournament, the IBA will also organize an evening of professional boxing at the stadium December 12.
Kubrat Pulev is scheduled to defend the interim WBA world title against Murat Gassiev. He was originally scheduled to face Moses Itauma, but was later rejected.
An Undercard performance with the participation of stars is also planned.
Muhammed Ali’s grandson, Nico Ali Walsh (11,2,1), will face Jeremiah Sserwadda (12,4,1) at the Duty Free Tennis Stadium.
Yorkshire’s Maxi Hughes travels to try and win WBA lightweight title eliminator against Bakhodur Usmonov (11,0,0).
In addition to the over-week-long talent showcase, IBA promises a star-studded lineup of guests in Dubai, and just a few of the names coming to the event include:
- Ben Whittaker
- Darren Till
- Fabio Wardley
- Dave Allen
- George Groves
- Castillo
- Spencer Oliver
- Paul Smith
- Jackson Rampage
- Frazer Clarke
Global pop star Rick Ross kicked off the event with a spectacular opening ceremony.
Recently announced WBC welterweight number one Conor Benn will also be in attendance throughout the event.
Finally, former heavyweight world champion Deontay Wilder will be in attendance following his stoppage victory over Tyrell Herndon in June.
Wilder was recently challenged by two-time undisputed world champion Oleksandr Usyk during an interview with Boxing King Media.
The post International Boxing Association Announces All-Star Guests for ‘Boxing Festival’ appeared first on ProBoxing-Fans.com.
Jarred Anderson’s return to the ring against Solomon Dacres was canceled just days later.
Dacres and Anderson were scheduled to face on May 9 in Fabio Wardley’s first world title defense against Daniel Dubois.
It looks like “Massive Baby” will continue to gain momentum after suffering his first career loss in 2024.
After a great start to his professional career and 17 impressive victories, Anderson took a gigantic risk in his fight against Martin Bakole in Los Angeles.
This acceleration did not go as planned, as Bakole stopped the American in the fifth round.
The American was forced to withdraw from competition for several weeks after suffering an injury during camp.
Anderson reportedly suffered a torn biceps, and the news was first broken by reporter Chris Mannix during the broadcast of Jarrell Miller’s win over Lenier Pero in Las Vegas.
Anderson, 26, recently signed a promotional deal with Frank Warren’s Queensberry Promotions, strengthening his existing relationship with Top Rank that he has been pursuing since his professional debut in 2019.
He last fought in a 10-round victory over Marios Kollias in February 2025, more than 14 months ago.
For now, no further information has been provided regarding a possible postponement of the fight.
For Dacres, it would be his first fight since his impressive decision victory over Vladyslav Sirenko.
Both Dacres and Anderson have only one loss to their name, and the fight between them will prove to be a great indicator of where each is at in their careers.
Dacres’ only loss came in the first round to David Adeleye in 2024, and he has only had one fight since that defeat.
Although the Anderson-Dacres fight has been canceled, the Manchester event will still go ahead as planned, with Fabio Wardley defending his WBO heavyweight title for the first time after winning the title with a stoppage victory over Joseph Parker.
Wardley remains undefeated and his opponent is Daniel Dubois, who has a 95% knockout rate.
Dubois is heading straight for another shot at the world title after being stopped by Oleksandr Usyk last July.
Wardley vs. Dubois it should be an epic fight, and the pair showed off their incredible knockout ability throughout their careers. The Ipswich fighter has wins over Justis Huni, Frazer Clarke and Joseph Parker, while Daniel Dubois has stopped Jarrell Miller, Filip Hrgovic and Anthony Joshua, so a stoppage seems the most likely outcome for the main event.
The post Jarred Anderson vs. Solomon Dacres Canceled After Injury appeared first on ProBoxing-Fans.com.
Dillian Whyte is eager to fight Joseph Parker again.
In 2018, Whyte and Parker played 12 invigorating rounds, with both hitting the canvas.
Whyte won his dramatic heavyweight fight by unanimous decision at the O2 Arena.
‘The Body Snatcher’ is now planning a rematch with the Recent Zealander, who is looking to clear his name after testing positive for cocaine following his October defeat to Fabio Wardley.
“There are a lot of good fights and Joseph Parker is one of them,” the 38-year-old said Ring Magazine.
“I would love to fight Joseph Parker, I think it’s a really good fight.
“He has to come back, he has to be cleared or whatever. I don’t know the situation.
“So in the meantime I have to stay busy and fight my way back, so let’s see.
“I feel like I still have a little bit to give, so let’s see what we can do to finish the season on a high.
“I’m training now and I want to come back in May or June.
“Now it’s just a matter of training and seeing what comes out on this kind of date.”
The former world title challenger from Brixton has not fought since a crushing first-round knockout defeat to rising contender Moses Itauma last August in Riyad.
Former world champion Parker won six times on spin before being stopped in the 11th round against Wardley, losing the WBO interim title and a shot at unified champion Oleksandr Usyk.
The 34-year-old says he is going through this process after failing the test and hopes it will be resolved soon.
“Let’s hope so [I’m back] soon,” Parker said Professional boxing fans.
“I’m just going through the process and practicing patience.
“We just have to be patient and learn from what they say happened.
“I know what happened and I handed over everything, so let’s see.”
The post Dillian Whyte Eyes Joseph Parker Rematch appeared first on ProBoxing-Fans.com.
Tony Yoka has broken his silence on Lawrence Okolie’s failed test that canceled their scheduled heavyweight fight.
On Saturday in Paris, Yoka was scheduled to face Okolie in a fierce heavyweight fight.
But on Tuesday, the Briton failed a VADA test, reportedly for GHRP 2 and its metabolite M8, a synthetic substance that stimulates the body to release human growth hormone.
Promoter Frank Warren tried to find a slow replacement, but later canceled the entire show.
Yoka (33) admits that he was bitterly disappointed with the situation.
“I was disappointed because I wanted to fight,” said the 33-year-old talkSPORT.
“Of course I was ready.
“It’s not like it happened a few months before, it was three, four days before the fight.
“It was a great opportunity.
“It would have put me in a really good position, so it really worried me.
“What was more disappointing to me was that they just canceled the entire show, but I understand it’s a business.”
The Frenchman says he won’t wait too long and has been told he will either fight on the card Fabio Wardley vs. Daniel Dubois May 9 in Manchester or on the bill Dave Allen vs Filip Hrgovic on May 16 in Doncaster.
See this post on Instagram
Okolie, the WBC’s number one contender for Oleksandr Usyk’s title, promised in a statement to clear his name.
“Before anyone starts imagining the worst, after last year’s bicep injury, I suffered an elbow injury on the same shoulder during this camp.
“I underwent treatment and now we are here.
“I hope common sense will prevail.
See this post on Instagram
“I will of course cooperate fully with all relevant authorities and I am confident that any investigation will clear my name.
“I will not be making any further comments at this time.
“Thank you for all your support and see you soon.”
The post “I Was Nervous” – Tony Yoka’s Reaction to Lawrence Okolie’s Failed Test appeared first on ProBoxing-Fans.com.
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