Philippines, 17 May 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


World Boxing officially accepts the Philippines as a member; Vargas cites World Boxing hallmarks


PhilBoxing.com




ABAP chairman Ricky Vargas said yesterday the Philippines’ formal affiliation with the newly-formed World Boxing, which is seeking IOC recognition as the sport’s international federation, will usher in a new era of freedom where boxers are able to fight for their countries without fear of prejudice.

World Boxing approved ABAP’s application to join the organization during an interim Executive Board meeting last Wednesday. Karina Picson, a Filipina boxing technical delegate, attended the meeting as a member of the interim Board and advised Vargas of the approval. “World Boxing is now being represented in five continents,” said Picson who was appointed to the interim Board on a personal capacity. Picson’s late husband Ed was the former ABAP president whose dream was to rid the sport of the tentacles of the discredited International Boxing Association (IBA) which has been stripped of recognition as an international federation by IOC.

“ABAP is aligned with the IOC principles of integrity, transparency, fair play and proper governance which are also the hallmarks of World Boxing,” said Vargas. “Let’s free the boxers and boxing from influencers who dictate the outcome of the sport itself.” Vargas will attend World Boxing’s inaugural Congress at the Mainarcaden in Frankfurt on Nov. 24-25. Elections will be held to vote in a president, vice president and Executive Board members. The positions of chairs of the Sport and Competition Committee, Medical and Anti-Doping Committee and Finance and Audit Committee will also be filled. World Boxing is currently managed by interim president Boris van der Vorst of the Netherlands and interim secretary-general Simon Toulson of England.

IOC suspended IBA of recognition in 2019 after investigative findings of unfair play, lack of financial transparency and irregular governance practices and took over the management of boxing at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. IOC eventually removed IBA from its rolls and will once more supervise boxing at the Paris Olympics. World Boxing has applied for IOC recognition which is pending a widespread representation of the fledgling federation launched last April. So far, World Boxing has brought in 27 members, including the Philippines and Mongolia from Asia.

Last week, the Asian Boxing Confederation held an extraordinary Congress to discuss World Boxing and several countries chose to defer affiliation until IOC recognizes a new international federation. Once World Boxing is recognized by IOC, it will roll out competitions at the global and regional levels with qualifying routes to the Olympics. World Boxing is expected to be inclusive and will open its doors to boxers who’ve previously fought in IBA-sanctioned events.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Joaquin Henson.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Heartbreak in Johannesburg: Jerusalem Dethroned by Kuse in Bloody Rematch
    By Dong Secuya, , Sun, 17 May 2026
  • Roy Jones Jr. Blasts Dana White and Zuffa’s Push to Reshape Boxing During Explosive “Boxing Primetime Show” Interview
    , Sat, 16 May 2026
  • Weigh-In Results: Keyshawn Davis vs. Nahir Albright II
    , Sat, 16 May 2026
  • Jerusalem vs. Kuse II: High-Stakes Rematch in Johannesburg
    By Dong Secuya, , Sat, 16 May 2026
  • Hometown Hero Edward Vazquez Returns to ProBoxTV on Friday, June 5, to Face Mexico’s Daniel Lugo in the 10-round Main Event of ‘The Contender Series’ at University of Texas in Arlington
    , Sat, 16 May 2026
  • AQ Prime to host 2 big tournaments
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 16 May 2026
  • June 6 announcement: Padley-Fiaz to Main Event in Sheffield after Galal Yafai setback
    , Fri, 15 May 2026
  • Press Conference Notes: Keyshawn Davis Ready to Settle Unfinished Business in Saturday’s Hometown Rematch against Nahir Albright LIVE on DAZN
    , Fri, 15 May 2026
  • Eros Correa vs. Anthony Garnica, Set to Clash for WBC Continental Americas Title.
    , Fri, 15 May 2026
  • Eman-Perez rematch now title-match
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 15 May 2026
  • Montreal Experience greatly benefited Undefeated Kansas boxing prospect Marco Romero for this Saturday’s fight
    , Fri, 15 May 2026
  • ”MERCILESS” RAY MERCER TO ATTEND 2026 HALL OF FAME WEEKEND
    , Fri, 15 May 2026
  • IIEE Metro Central dominates the IIEE National Midyear Convention sportsfest
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 15 May 2026
  • Ancajas Boxing team to join Koronadal slugfest
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 15 May 2026
  • Jojo Legaspi eyes four squads in JCI Senate Lipa 3X3 Open Rapid Chess Tournament on June 20
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 15 May 2026
  • Paras ready to face Yokoyama on June 6
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 14 May 2026
  • Keyshawn Davis vs. Nahir Albright II Fight Week Events to Stream LIVE on Top Rank’s Social Media Channels
    , Thu, 14 May 2026
  • Champion Outside the Ring: Gustavo Trujillo and Bio Cell Wellness Group Support Children with Autism Through Life-Changing Therapies
    , Thu, 14 May 2026
  • IBA and WBA successfully deliver first joint professional training course for referees and judges
    , Wed, 13 May 2026
  • GAB to give managers, matchmakers and trainers 3 years license
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 13 May 2026
  • ROBIN “ROBZ” SAFAR TO FACE ARGENTINA’S HIGHLY RATED YAMIL PERALTA FOR WBC SILVER CRUISERWEIGHT TITLE
    , Wed, 13 May 2026
  • Influencer/boxer Brooklyn Barwick anxious to Bounce back from first loss this Saturday in South Carolina
    , Wed, 13 May 2026
  • Mama ready to facer Ayala in Mexico
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 13 May 2026
  • Demecillo to fight undefeated Martin on May 16
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 13 May 2026
  • ‘Rumble at the Rink II’ card to feature Pro Boxing & Sports Entertainment Experience this Saturday in Quincy (MA)
    , Wed, 13 May 2026




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2026 philboxing.com.