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ANOTHER BLACK EYE FOR BOXING

Nov 4 1999

History

The IBF was preceded by the United States Boxing Association (USBA), a regional championship organization like the North American Boxing Federation (NABF). In 1983, at the WBA's annual convention, held in Puerto Rico, Robert W. "Bobby" Lee Sr., president of the USBA, lost in his bid to become WBA president against Gilberto Mendoza. Lee and others withdrew from the convention after the election, and decided to organize a third, world-level organization, to co-exist with the WBA and the WBC. Formed as USBA-International, the fledgling organization was renamed the International Boxing Federation on November 6, 1983, based in New Jersey, where its main offices remain.¹

Bobby Lee had also been a New Jersey boxing commissioner until 1985, when, according to news reports, "he was suspended and fined by the Ethical Standards Commission for accepting contributions from fight promoters and casino executives."²

The IBF's first world champion was Marvin Camel, a former WBC world cruiserweight champion who won the IBF's belt in the same division. During its first year of existence the IBF remained largely obscure, but by 1984 it decided to recognize Larry Holmes, Aaron Pryor, Marvin Hagler and Donald Curry, already established champions from other organizations, as IBF world champions. In Holmes' case, he relinquished his WBC title to accept the IBF's recognition. It established the IBF as the third sanctioning body, and a legitimate organization.³

IBF men's world championship belts are red, whereas women's world championship belts are light blue.

20th-century bribery scandal

Despite achieving an appearance of legitimacy, subsequent to a three-year investigation started by 1996 charges levied by former heavyweight champion Michael Moorer; IBF's reputation was ruined in 1999 with founder Lee's indictment for racketeering and other violations for taking bribes in exchange for high boxer rankings. Indicted on federal racketeering and racketeering conspiracy charges were "president, Robert W. Lee, 65; his son and IBF liaison, Robert Lee Jr., 38; former IBF executive and Virginia boxing commissioner Donald William Brennan, 86; and South American IBF representative Francisco Fernandez."⁴ Lee was subsequently convicted of money-laundering and tax evasion in August 2000, then sentenced, in 2001, to 22 months in prison and fined $25,000.⁵

In 2000, citing extortion, boxing promoter Bob Arum voluntarily testified to having paid IBF president Bobby Lee $100,000 in two installments in 1995, as the first half of a $200,000 bribe, through "middleman, Stanley Hoffman", adding that Lee had first demanded $500,000 to approve the Schulz-Foreman fight, but had settled for the lesser amount of $200,000 (half of which was never paid).⁶ Arum was sanctioned and fined $125,000 by the Nevada State Athletic Commission. Boxing promoters Cedric Kushner and Dino Duva also admitted to making similar payments to Lee.⁷

"A culture of corruption has festered in the IBF virtually since its inception... IBF ratings were not earned – they were bought... The crimes have bastardized the ratings in most of the weight classes." — Adam Miller quoting Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Cleary, "FEDS BID TO KO BOXING BIGS WITH 'BRIBE' RAP", New York Post, November 5, 1999

21st-century management

The IBF was under federal observation from Lee's conviction through September 2004. Former Michigan Boxing Commissioner, WBA vice-president, boxing safety advocate and IBF interim president Hiawatha Knight (October 22, 1929 – October 22, 2014) became president following Lee's conviction, and was the first woman president of any world governing boxing organization. In 2001, Marian Muhammad assumed the presidency, followed by Daryl J. Peoples, who remained president as of 2018.⁸

The IBF ran the "1st Annual Convention of IBF Muaythai" in Bangkok on 20–21 December 2017.⁹ Daryl Peoples, IBF president, attended the convention. The new champions of IBF Muay Thai were crowned in three weight divisions.

In response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Federation blocked championship fights involving Russian and Belarusian boxers.¹⁰

Current IBF world title holders

As of 9 June 2025

Male

Female

Muay Thai world champions

See also

• List of major boxing sanctioning bodies
• List of IBF world champions
• List of IBF female world champions
• List of current world boxing champions
• List of IBF Muay Thai world champions

External links

• Official website
• All-time IBF World champions - Reference book

References

1. Wheeler, Paul (7 April 2020). "Judging the sanctioning bodies: The IBF - Boxing News". boxingnewsonline.net. Retrieved 5 September 2022. https://www.boxingnewsonline.net/judging-the-sanctioning-bodies-the-ibf/ ↩

2. Marshall, Andrew "Bell tolls for ring-king Lee and the 'whore-house of pugilism'", The Independent, November 29, 1999. Retrieved August 4, 2018. https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/bell-tolls-for-ring-king-lee-and-the-whore-house-of-pugilism-741704.html ↩

3. Euan-Smith, Simon (27 January 2022). "A history of chaos - sanctioning bodies and broken titles". boxingnewsonline.net. Retrieved 5 September 2022. https://www.boxingnewsonline.net/a-history-of-chaos-sanctioning-bodies-and-broken-titles/ ↩

4. Hirsley, Michael "Another Black Eye For Boxing", Chicago Tribune, November 5, 1999. Retrieved August 4, 2018. https://www.chicagotribune.com/1999/11/05/another-black-eye-for-boxing/ ↩

5. Smothers, Ronald "I.B.F. Supervision Ends; Founder Gets 22 Months", The New York Times, February 15, 2001. Retrieved August 4, 2018. https://www.nytimes.com/2001/02/15/sports/boxing-ibf-supervision-ends-founder-gets-22-months.html ↩

6. MCKINLEY, JAMES C. JR. "Arum Gives Description Of Payments to I.B.F.", The New York Times, June 7, 2000. Retrieved August 4, 2018. https://www.nytimes.com/2000/06/07/sports/boxing-arum-gives-description-of-payments-to-ibf.html ↩

7. Springer, Steve "Settlement Approved in Arum Case", Los Angeles Times, August 17, 2000. Retrieved August 4, 2018. https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2000-aug-17-sp-5925-story.html ↩

8. Kang, Arne K. (10 March 2017). "A Conversation with International Boxing Federation President Daryl Peoples". tss.ib.tv. Retrieved 5 September 2022. https://tss.ib.tv/boxing/featured-boxing-articles-boxing-news-videos-rankings-and-results/31858-conversation-international-boxing-federation ↩

9. "Facebook". www.facebook.com. https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=153474188759130&set=a.153474805425735.1073741828.100022896488390&type=3 ↩

10. "Alan Hubbard: How Russian champion Bivol sent shockwaves down Mexico way". https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1123034/alan-hubbard-blog ↩