IABA condemns IBA's 'illegal' suspension of Ukraine

The Irish Athletic Boxing Association has condemned what it called the "illegal" suspension of the Ukrainian Boxing Federation from the world governing body, the IBA.

The IBA, run by Russian businessman Umar Kremlev, suspended Ukraine last week in a move that meant the federation could not cast a vote at a meeting that decided not to hold a fresh presidential election.

The IBA does not recognise Kyrylo Shevchenko as president of the Ukrainian federation but instead considers Volodymyr Prodyvus, an ally of Kremlev who left Ukraine after the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February and is now an IBA vice-president, as head.

In an unprecedented move this week, the Ukrainian junior boxing team were told they must compete under the IBA flag at the European championships in Italy.

Several bouts were decided by walkover after Ukrainian boxers refused to enter the ring, with others withdrawing in solidarity.

In statement today, Irish federation the IABA said it "condemns, utterly and without reservation, the illegal suspension of the Ukrainian Boxing Federation from the world governing body, the IBA.

"The fact that the IBA has suspended the Ukrainian Boxing Federation for alleged government interference shows the continued vulnerability of boxing's world governing body to external forces and influence. It is the latest in a series of acts and decisions by the IBA which do not align with boxing’s core values and which show that the legacy of its predecessor, AIBA, lingers.

"The IBA took the decision to suspend the Ukrainian Boxing Federation on September 23rd . This matter was not referred for consideration by federations attending the IBA Conference in Yerevan, two days later. In so doing, the IBA violated Article 13.3 of its own