The sports world has done a near flawless job of showing support for Ukraine since they were invaded by Russia, with many pro leagues and organizations shunning Russian teams and athletes from competing in their competitions.
While that doesn’t present too much of a challenge for leagues like the MLB or even the NHL for that matter, boxing has a different issue.
The global appeal and reception of boxing creates an interesting scenario with events in Russia more than common and Russian fighters being found on virtually any fight card.
Although more of a challenge, the four major boxing promoters (WBA, WBF, WBO, and IBF) have done a fantastic job of showing their support and condemning Russia for their involvement in current world issues.
Any true boxing fan will tell you there is no real competition in superiority after those four powerhouse organizations, but there is still other organizations available to follow, one that is causing quite the stir-up with some fans.
The International Boxing Association is viewed as the fifth place when it comes to boxing organizations by many with a very visible deficit compared to the higher powers.
While easy to ignore the organization, it is their upcoming events causing problems with fans. Title fights being held in Russia.
This weekend sees an event being promoted by Shamo Boxing for the IBA Welterweight Title between Russian Vaghinak Tamrazyan and Mexican Dante Jardon. The fighters involved is not the cause of concern, but the location. Vladimir, Russia.
Mac Ross is a diehard boxing fan who has personally reached out to the IBA regarding this decision to no avail.
He believes this is an attempt by the IBA to take advantage of a country with a sudden lack of title fights and entertainment.
“This is an opening for them to make connections with a regime that could potentially use their belts and give them prestige,” Ross explains. “I don’t see how they can morally or ethically justify that or how the fans would accept that going forward.”
Ross goes on to explain that this is a dangerous and greedy move by the organization, an attempt to creep their way closer to the ‘big four’.
“You don’t want to give Russian boxing an alternative title that they can then try to legitimize in in the absence of the four big ones.”
The IBA has cancelled events of their own set to take place in Russia, however it is unclear if there are more title fights set to take place there in coming months.
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