AIBA

AIBA, historically the Association Internationale de Boxe Amateur, is the international governing body for the sport of boxing. Founded in 1946 by national boxing federations, it has overseen the development of rules, judging and refereeing standards, equipment specifications, anti-doping policies, and the global calendar of amateur boxing events. The organization has also coordinated development programs to expand participation and raise competitive standards around the world. Its responsibilities have traditionally included organizing world championships for men and women and regulating international competition, including events linked to the Olympic Games.

Over time, AIBA faced governance and financial challenges that affected its operations and its relationship with the Olympic Movement. In 2019 the International Olympic Committee suspended AIBA’s recognition and established a Boxing Task Force to oversee Olympic boxing and related governance issues. The period that followed involved reforms aimed at improving governance, accountability, and the integrity of competition, including changes to scoring systems, referee training, and anti-doping measures.

In the 2020s the organization underwent rebranding and adopted the name International Boxing Association (IBA) to reflect a broader orientation toward the sport beyond “amateur” boxing. The body continues to confer with national federations, sanction major international competitions such as world championships, and promote boxing development worldwide. While the name AIBA remains widely used in historical contexts, contemporary references often employ IBA as the official designation for the federation.