International Boxing Federation

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"IBF" redirects here. For other uses, see IBF (disambiguation).
International Boxing Federation
International Boxing Federation (emblem).jpg
Abbreviation IBF
Formation 1983; 42 years ago (1983)[1]
Type Non-profit institution
Purpose Boxing sanctioning organization
Headquarters Springfield, New Jersey, U.S.
Region served
 Worldwide
President
 Daryl Peoples
Main organ
 General Assembly
Website www.ibf-usba-boxing.com

The International Boxing Federation (IBF) is one of four major organizations recognized by the International Boxing Hall of Fame (IBHOF) which sanctions professional boxing bouts. The others are the World Boxing Association (WBA), World Boxing Council (WBC) and World Boxing Organization (WBO).

History

The IBF was preceded by the United States Boxing Association (USBA), a regional championship organization like the North American Boxing Federation (NABF). In 1983, at the WBA's annual convention, held in Puerto Rico, Robert W. "Bobby" Lee Sr., president of the USBA, lost in his bid to become WBA president against Gilberto Mendoza. Lee and others withdrew from the convention after the election, and decided to organize a third, world-level organization, to co-exist with the WBA and the WBC. Formed as USBA-International, the fledgling organization was renamed the International Boxing Federation on November 6, 1983, based in New Jersey, where its main offices remain.[2]

Bobby Lee had also been a New Jersey boxing commissioner until 1985, when, according to news reports, "he was suspended and fined by the Ethical Standards Commission for accepting contributions from fight promoters and casino executives."[3]

The IBF's first world champion was Marvin Camel, a former WBC world cruiserweight champion who won the IBF's belt in the same division. During its first year of existence the IBF remained largely obscure, but by 1984 it decided to recognize Larry Holmes, Aaron Pryor, Marvin Hagler and Donald Curry, already established champions from other organizations, as IBF world champions. In Holmes' case, he relinquished his WBC title to accept the IBF's recognition. It established the IBF as the third sanctioning body, and a legitimate organization.[4]

IBF men's world championship belts are red, whereas women's world championship belts are light blue.[citation needed]

20th-century bribery scandal

Despite achieving an appearance of legitimacy, subsequent to a three-year investigation started by 1996 charges levied by former heavyweight champion Michael Moorer; IBF's reputation was ruined in 1999 with founder Lee's indictment for racketeering and other violations for taking bribes in exchange for high boxer rankings. Indicted on federal racketeering and racketeering conspiracy charges were "president, Robert W. Lee, 65; his son and IBF liaison, Robert Lee Jr., 38; former IBF executive and Virginia boxing commissioner Donald William Brennan, 86; and South American IBF representative Francisco Fernandez."[5] Lee was subsequently convicted of money-laundering and tax evasion in August 2000, then sentenced, in 2001, to 22 months in prison and fined $25,000.[6]

In 2000, citing extortion, boxing promoter Bob Arum voluntarily testified to having paid IBF president Bobby Lee $100,000 in two installments in 1995, as the first half of a $200,000 bribe, through "middleman, Stanley Hoffman", adding that Lee had first demanded $500,000 to approve the Schulz-Foreman fight, but had settled for the lesser amount of $200,000 (half of which was never paid).[7] Arum was sanctioned and fined $125,000 by the Nevada State Athletic Commission. Boxing promoters Cedric Kushner and Dino Duva also admitted to making similar payments to Lee.[8]

"A culture of corruption has festered in the IBF virtually since its inception... IBF ratings were not earned – they were bought... The crimes have bastardized the ratings in most of the weight classes."
— Adam Miller quoting Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Cleary, "FEDS BID TO KO BOXING BIGS WITH ‘BRIBE’ RAP", New York Post, November 5, 1999

21st-century management

The IBF was under federal observation from Lee's conviction through September 2004. Former Michigan Boxing Commissioner, WBA vice-president, boxing safety advocate and IBF interim president Hiawatha Knight (October 22, 1929 – October 22, 2014) became president following Lee's conviction, and was the first woman president of any world governing boxing organization. In 2001, Marian Muhammad assumed the presidency, followed by Daryl J. Peoples, who remained president as of 2018.[9]

The IBF ran the "1st Annual Convention of IBF Muaythai" in Bangkok on 20–21 December 2017.[10] Daryl Peoples, IBF president, attended the convention. The new champions of IBF Muay Thai were crowned in three weight divisions.

In response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Federation blocked championship fights involving Russian and Belarusian boxers.[11]

Current IBF world title holders

As of 24 March 2025

Male

Weight class Champion (15) Reign began Days
Mini flyweight (105 lbs) Pedro Taduran 28 July 2024 Lua error in Module:Age at line 846: attempt to call method 'subtract' (a nil value).
Junior flyweight (108 lbs) Masamichi Yabuki 12 October 2024 Lua error in Module:Age at line 846: attempt to call method 'subtract' (a nil value).
Flyweight (112 lbs) Ángel Ayala 9 August 2024 Lua error in Module:Age at line 846: attempt to call method 'subtract' (a nil value).
Junior bantamweight (115 lbs) Vacant
Bantamweight (118 lbs) Ryosuke Nishida 4 May 2024 Lua error in Module:Age at line 846: attempt to call method 'subtract' (a nil value).
Junior featherweight (122 lbs) Naoya Inoue 26 December 2023 Lua error in Module:Age at line 846: attempt to call method 'subtract' (a nil value).
Featherweight (126 lbs) Angelo Leo 10 August 2024 Lua error in Module:Age at line 846: attempt to call method 'subtract' (a nil value).
Junior lightweight (130 lbs) Vacant
Lightweight (135 lbs) Vasiliy Lomachenko 11 May 2024 Lua error in Module:Age at line 846: attempt to call method 'subtract' (a nil value).
Junior welterweight (140 lbs) Richardson Hitchins 7 December 2024 Lua error in Module:Age at line 846: attempt to call method 'subtract' (a nil value).
Welterweight (147 lbs) Jaron Ennis 9 November 2023 Lua error in Module:Age at line 846: attempt to call method 'subtract' (a nil value).
Junior middleweight (154 lbs) Bakhram Murtazaliev 5 April 2024 Lua error in Module:Age at line 846: attempt to call method 'subtract' (a nil value).
Middleweight (160 lbs) Janibek Alimkhanuly 14 October 2023 Lua error in Module:Age at line 846: attempt to call method 'subtract' (a nil value).
Super middleweight (168 lbs) William Scull 19 October 2024 Lua error in Module:Age at line 846: attempt to call method 'subtract' (a nil value).
Light heavyweight (175 lbs) Dmitry Bivol 22 February 2025 Lua error in Module:Age at line 846: attempt to call method 'subtract' (a nil value).
Cruiserweight (200 lbs) Jai Opetaia 18 May 2024 Lua error in Module:Age at line 846: attempt to call method 'subtract' (a nil value).
Heavyweight (200+ lbs) Daniel Dubois 26 June 2024 Lua error in Module:Age at line 846: attempt to call method 'subtract' (a nil value).

Female

Weight class Champion (15) Reign began Days
Junior mini flyweight (102 lbs) Sumire Yamanaka 12 January 2024 Lua error in Module:Age at line 846: attempt to call method 'subtract' (a nil value).
Mini flyweight (105 lbs) Vacant
Junior flyweight (108 lbs) Evelyn Nazarena Bermúdez 29 December 2018 Lua error in Module:Age at line 846: attempt to call method 'subtract' (a nil value).
Flyweight (112 lbs) Gabriela Fundora 21 October 2023 Lua error in Module:Age at line 846: attempt to call method 'subtract' (a nil value).
Junior bantamweight (115 lbs) Irma Garcia 11 November 2023 Lua error in Module:Age at line 846: attempt to call method 'subtract' (a nil value).
Bantamweight (118 lbs) Shurretta Metcalf 23 October 2024 Lua error in Module:Age at line 846: attempt to call method 'subtract' (a nil value).
Junior featherweight (122 lbs) Ellie Scotney 10 June 2023 Lua error in Module:Age at line 846: attempt to call method 'subtract' (a nil value).
Featherweight (126 lbs) Nina Meinke 21 September 2024 Lua error in Module:Age at line 846: attempt to call method 'subtract' (a nil value).
Junior lightweight (130 lbs) Alycia Baumgardner 15 October 2022 Lua error in Module:Age at line 846: attempt to call method 'subtract' (a nil value).
Lightweight (135 lbs) Beatriz Ferreira 27 April 2024 Lua error in Module:Age at line 846: attempt to call method 'subtract' (a nil value).
Junior welterweight (140 lbs) Katie Taylor 25 November 2023 Lua error in Module:Age at line 846: attempt to call method 'subtract' (a nil value).
Welterweight (147 lbs) Natasha Jonas 1 July 2023 Lua error in Module:Age at line 846: attempt to call method 'subtract' (a nil value).
Junior middleweight (154 lbs) Oshae Jones 24 November 2024 Lua error in Module:Age at line 846: attempt to call method 'subtract' (a nil value).
Middleweight (160 lbs) Desley Robinson 13 December 2024 Lua error in Module:Age at line 846: attempt to call method 'subtract' (a nil value).
Super middleweight (168 lbs) Savannah Marshall 1 July 2023 Lua error in Module:Age at line 846: attempt to call method 'subtract' (a nil value).
Light heavyweight (175 lbs) Lani Daniels 2 December 2023 Lua error in Module:Age at line 846: attempt to call method 'subtract' (a nil value).
Heavyweight (175+ lbs) Claressa Shields 2 February 2025 Lua error in Module:Age at line 846: attempt to call method 'subtract' (a nil value).

Muay Thai world champions

Weight class Champion Reign began Days
Junior lightweight (130 lbs) Petchaouthong Aor. Kwanmaung 21 December 2017 Lua error in Module:Age at line 846: attempt to call method 'subtract' (a nil value).
Lightweight (135 lbs) Seksan Aor. Kwanmuang 21 December 2017 Lua error in Module:Age at line 846: attempt to call method 'subtract' (a nil value).
Welterweight (147 lbs) Pinklao Bangkoknoivillage 20 December 2017 Lua error in Module:Age at line 846: attempt to call method 'subtract' (a nil value).

See also

References

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External links

  1. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  2. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  3. ↑ Marshall, Andrew "Bell tolls for ring-king Lee and the 'whore-house of pugilism'", The Independent, November 29, 1999. Retrieved August 4, 2018.
  4. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  5. ↑ Hirsley, Michael "Another Black Eye For Boxing", Chicago Tribune, November 5, 1999. Retrieved August 4, 2018.
  6. ↑ Smothers, Ronald "I.B.F. Supervision Ends; Founder Gets 22 Months", The New York Times, February 15, 2001. Retrieved August 4, 2018.
  7. ↑ MCKINLEY, JAMES C. JR. "Arum Gives Description Of Payments to I.B.F.", The New York Times, June 7, 2000. Retrieved August 4, 2018.
  8. ↑ Springer, Steve "Settlement Approved in Arum Case", Los Angeles Times, August 17, 2000. Retrieved August 4, 2018.
  9. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  10. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  11. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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