The International Boxing Association (IBA) has extended its warmest congratulations to Donald J. Trump on his inauguration as President of the United States of America. In a letter signed by IBA President Umar Kremlev and Secretary General Major Chris Roberts OBE, the association praised President Trump’s commitment to fairness and integrity in sports.
The IBA acknowledged President Trump’s principled stance on the inclusion of ineligible athletes in women’s boxing competitions during the 2024 Paris Olympics. The letter emphasized the importance of ensuring fair competition and protecting the integrity of women’s sports.
The IBA expressed its support for recent U.S. legislation prohibiting transgender athletes from competing in women’s sports, noting that it aligns with the association’s policies on promoting gender equality and safeguarding the health and well-being of female athletes.
The association also called for renewed leadership within the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to establish clearer international guidelines on athlete participation, aiming to avoid future disputes and inequities.
Reflecting on boxing’s historical significance in the United States, the IBA expressed its interest in hosting the World Boxing Championships in the U.S. again, a feat last achieved in 2007 in Chicago. The association highlighted President Trump’s deep ties to the sport, referencing his tenure as a boxing promoter and the iconic matches hosted at Trump Plaza during the 1980s and 1990s.
The IBA remains hopeful that the inclusion of boxing in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics will showcase the enduring appeal of the sport to American fans and the global community.
“We are eager to collaborate with your administration to further the development of boxing in the United States,” the letter stated, underscoring the IBA’s dedication to promoting equitable practices and supporting athletes worldwide.
The IBA concluded by expressing optimism for the future of boxing and the Olympic movement under President Trump’s leadership, emphasizing the role of sports as a unifying and peace-promoting force.
