On October 31, on the sidelines of the World Young Boxing Championship, the European Boxing Federation (EUBC) held an extraordinary congress in Budva, Montenegro. The main content of the meeting is the vote on the decision to join the World Boxing, or continue to stay in the International Boxing Association (IBA, or the World Boxing Federation).
At the present time, EUBC has 46 countries and territories with membership. In the context of many countries withdrawing from IBA and declaring to support World Boxing, EUBC has 32 member countries to the unusual meeting. The voting results have surprised many countries.
With 32 members participating (the same observer without voting is Germany), EUBC recorded 29 votes of support to continue to stay in IBA, with 3 white votes. That also means that, the European Boxing Federation, with most of the members who support and decide to continue to stick with IBA in the future.
“We have shown solidarity, beyond the political influence in the sports industry. The road ahead of IBA and EUBC has clearly: Continuing to invest in Boxing with high achievements, developing a professional boxing department. IBA will continue to support this process,” said Chris Roberts, Secretary of IBA.
Earlier, in July, EUBC announced the time of voting to join the World Boxing or stay in IBA. At that time, there was information that EUBC wanted to explore comments from the Asian Boxing Federation (ASBC) before making a decision. ASBC will vote the second time at the end of November, when the first vote shows that the majority of members support IBA.