In an interview with us a few weeks ago, Estelle Mossely, candidate for president of the French Boxing Federation on December 14, confided to us that she had not yet made up her mind about the fight between the IBA (international federation headed by the sulphurous Russian Umar Kremlev)excluded from the Olympic movement), of which she was an ambassador, and World Boxing (created in 2023, supported by the IOC).
Just over a month before the election, the FFBoxe has made its decision. This Monday, it announced its disaffiliation from the IBA in order to join World Boxing. “This decision, motivated by the desire to guarantee French boxing its place at the Olympic Games and to reinforce the stability of the clubs, marks a turning point for FFBoxe, which is moving forward with determination in this direction”, announced the body in a press release.
“Serious governance problems
This change of direction was initiated by David Lappartient, President of the French National Olympic and Sports Committee (CNOSF), who reminded us in a letter that “following recent decisions by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), boxing is no longer recognized as an Olympic sport for the Los Angeles 2028 Gamesadds the press release. The IOC has also officially withdrawn its recognition of the IBA due to serious governance problems. According to IOC directives, national federations that maintain their affiliation to the IBA will no longer be recognized by their respective National Olympic Committees, which compromises their ability to represent their discipline within the Olympic framework”.
This decision must still be submitted for validation to the General Meeting on December 14, when the next president of the Federation is elected. “Representatives of regional committees and clubs will have the opportunity to express their views, thus testifying to FFBoxe’s participative governance and its commitment to taking into account all French boxing stakeholders”.