Ladies and Gentlemen, Boxing Fans Worldwide

The 2025 IBA Men's Elite

World Boxing Championships Stage Is Set!

(December 4th) As the desert sun rises over the glittering skyline of the United Arab Emirates, the thunderous roar of global pugilism awakens! Welcome to the heart-pounding kickoff of the 2025 IBA Men's Elite World Boxing.

Championships, where the world's fiercest warriors step into the squared circle to etch their names in the annals of combat sports history.

Hosted at the iconic Dubai Tennis Stadium – a venue that's hosted tennis titans like Federer and Nadal, now primed for fisticuffs – this is no ordinary tournament. It's the crown jewel of the inaugural IBA Festival of Boxing, a blockbuster 12-day extravaganza from November 30 to December 13 that transforms Dubai into the undisputed capital of boxing.

Today's Schedule (December 4) posted below: Preliminary rounds start with afternoon sessions on Ring A (e.g., from around 2 PM GST) and evening bouts on Ring B (from 9 PM GST).

Picture this: Over 95 National Federations from more than 100 countries have mobilized, sending their elite amateur gladiators to clash across 13 weight divisions – from the lightning-fast flyweights at 51kg to the towering super heavyweights tipping the scales at 92+kg. We're talking more than 400 bouts of raw power, precision footwork, and unbreakable will, all under the bright lights of a stadium that seats thousands, with state-of-the-art facilities ensuring every jab, hook, and uppercut lands with crystal-clear drama. This isn't just competition; it's a celebration of unity, skill, and equality, where boxers from every corner of the globe – from the streets of Tashkent to the gyms of Havana – compete under their national flags, free from borders or politics, as championed by the International Boxing Association (IBA).

And the stakes? Oh, they're sky-high. For the first time in the sport's near-80-year legacy, the IBA is unleashing a record-shattering $8 million prize pool – the richest in amateur boxing history! Gold medalists in each category will pocket a life-changing $300,000, with silver and bronze hauling in $150,000 and $75,000 respectively, plus bonuses cascading down to every semifinalist. This isn't hype; it's IBA President Umar Kremlev's bold vision in action: "This World Championships is not just about records and prize money – it is about giving every boxer, every coach, and every National Federation the respect and reward they deserve." Echoing that fire, IBA Secretary General & CEO Chris Roberts OBE declares, "Dubai will be more than a competition; it will be a celebration of boxing in all its forms – a global movement that champions excellence, innovation, and unity."

The Festival isn't just gloves and grit – it's a full-spectrum spectacle. Flanking the Championships are the IBA Global Boxing Forum, drawing power players to debate the sport's future; high-octane IBA Pro Events blending amateur purity with pro polish; and the IBA Congress, where the federation's gears grind toward even bolder reforms. The grand opening on December 2 lit the fuse with a star-studded ceremony featuring Russian rap icon Egor Kreed dropping beats alongside boxing legend Roy Jones Jr. – a fusion of hip-hop heat and heavyweight heritage that had the crowd electrified. Today, December 4, the real fireworks ignite with preliminary rounds, as undercard dynamos warm up the ring for the marquee matchups ahead.

From Uzbekistan's reigning superstars, who've dominated recent Worlds with multiple golds, to surging threats from Cuba, Russia, and emerging African powerhouses like Nigeria and Algeria, the talent pool runs deeper than the Persian Gulf. Defending champions eye repeat glory, while hungry newcomers – many fresh from continental qualifiers – dream of upsets that could redefine rankings. Fun fact: The IBA's athlete-centered reforms here ensure fairness and financial equity, with every punch thrown backed by investments in grassroots programs worldwide, proving boxing's evolution from smoky halls to global stages.

So, lace up, tune in, and witness history unfold! The 2025 IBA Men's Elite World Boxing Championships aren't just fights – they're a seismic shift, rewarding the sweet science like never before. Follow the action live on IBA platforms, snag tickets at the Dubai Tennis Stadium, and join the roar as Dubai becomes the epicenter of endurance and excellence. The bell rings today – let the battles begin!

Day 1 | Ring B | Afternoon | IBA 2025 Men’s World Boxing Championships

Day 1 | Ring B | Evening | IBA 2025 Men’s World Boxing Championships

Tickets are available for in-person attendance at the Dubai Tennis Stadium, focusing on marquee events within the 12-day Festival of Boxing. Purchase them securely through Platinumlist, the official ticketing partner for UAE events.

IBA 2025 Men's World Boxing Championships:

Key Updates and Highlights!

(December 3rd) The 2025 IBA Men's World Boxing Championships, the 23rd edition of the prestigious tournament, is set to make history as the richest amateur boxing event ever, featuring a record-breaking prize pool of $8.32 million. Hosted in Dubai, UAE, as part of the inaugural two-week "Festival of Boxing" from December 2 to 13 at the iconic Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium, the event will welcome elite athletes from over 118 nations and more than 95 National Federations.

Organizers have postponed the official start of the competition by one day, shifting it from December 3 to December 4. This adjustment stems from delays in issuing visas for athletes from Kyrgyzstan, ensuring all participants can compete fairly. As a result, the official draw has been rescheduled to December 3, with qualifying bouts now running from December 4 to 11, and finals on December 13—coinciding with the IBA Congress 2025 meetings.

Yesterday, Dubai hosted a grand opening ceremony at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium, perfectly timed to coincide with UAE National Day, commemorating the founding of the United Arab Emirates in 1971. The event transformed the stadium into a global stage blending elite sport, cultural performances, and entertainment on a scale rivaling the Olympic Games. Under dazzling lights, fireworks, and against Dubai's skyline, it featured a star-studded lineup including boxing legend Roy Jones Jr. as master of ceremonies with a custom performance, Italian vocalist Benedetta Caretta, and Russian rap superstar Egor Kreed. Athletes from participating nations were celebrated on stage, underscoring boxing's unity across borders.

During the ceremony, IBA President Umar Kremlev declared the dawn of a "Golden Era of Boxing," symbolized by the presence of Muhammad Ali's daughter, Rasheda Ali Walsh, and her son (Ali's grandson), professional boxer Nico Ali Walsh. Rasheda reflected emotionally: "I am proud that Mr. Umar Kremlev and the IBA are carrying forward my father Muhammad Ali’s legacy. My father believed in courage, respect and giving athletes a fair chance—and tonight, I see that spirit alive in Dubai."

Kremlev emphasized the IBA's commitment to the sport, noting that revenues from TV rights and commercial agreements are being reinvested into boxing's growth. He highlighted Dubai's role as a forward-thinking host: "Dubai represents the future—modern, global, and welcoming. It is the perfect home for this new era of boxing." Looking ahead, Kremlev announced ambitious plans to expand the prize fund to $10 million by 2027 and launch a Team World Cup in 2026 with an equivalent $10 million budget, as part of a broader four-year strategy investing over $80 million in athlete prizes through 2028.

This championship not only elevates amateur boxing but also bridges to professional ranks, with the festival's penultimate day featuring a WBA World Heavyweight title bout between Russia's Murat Gassiev and Bulgaria's Kubrat Pulev.

All bouts will be streamed live for free on the official IBA YouTube channel, accessible worldwide. Sessions include multiple rings with afternoon and evening coverage, starting from the rescheduled bouts on December 4.