International Boxing Federation
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| International Boxing Federation | |
|---|---|
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| Abbreviation | IBF |
| Type | Non-profit Institution |
| Purpose/focus | Boxing sanctioning organization |
| Headquarters | Springfield, New Jersey, USA |
| Region served | Worldwide |
| Website | www.ibf-usba-boxing.com |
The International Boxing Federation or IBF is one of four major organizations recognized by the IBHOF which sanction world championship boxing bouts, alongside the WBA, WBC and WBO.
History
The IBF is preceded by the United States Boxing Association (USBA), a regional championships organization like the North American Boxing Federation (NABF), North American Boxing Council (NABC) and the North American Boxing Association (NABA). In 1983, at the WBA's annual convention, held in Puerto Rico that year, Bob Lee, 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 new world-level organization. At first, the new group was named the USBA-International. They decided to base the new organization in New Jersey, where its main offices are still located.
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, however, the IBF remained largely obscure. But by 1984, the IBF 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.
Ever since then, the IBF has been the sanctioning body of many important fights and world champions. For example, Félix Trinidad was the IBF's world Welterweight champion from 1993 to 2000, and is one of a long list of world champions who have been recognized by the IBF. The current IBF Heavyweight champion is Ukrainian Wladimir Klitschko.
The organization's reputation was seriously damaged in 1999, however, as Lee resigned as the IBF's president upon conviction on racketeering and other violations for taking bribes in exchange for high boxer rankings. Hiawatha Knight then became the first woman president of any of the world's governing boxing bodies. In 2001, Marian Muhammad followed her as president. The organization was under federal observation from Lee's conviction through September 2004, though remaining recognized as one of boxing's "big four" sanctioning organizations.
Current IBF world title holders
Male
| Weight class: | Champion: | Reign began: |
|---|---|---|
| Minimumweight |  Katsunari Takayama |
March 30, 2013 |
| Junior Flyweight |  John Riel Casimero |
July 19, 2012 |
| Flyweight |  Moruti Mthalane |
November 20, 2009 |
| Super Flyweight |  Juan Carlos Sanchez, Jr. |
February 11, 2012 |
| Bantamweight |  Jamie McDonnell |
May 11, 2013 |
| Super Bantamweight |  Jonathan Romero |
February 16, 2013 |
| Featherweight |  Evgeny Gradovich |
March 1, 2013 |
| Junior Lightweight |  Argenis Mendez |
March 9, 2013 |
| Lightweight | Miguel Vazquez |
August 14, 2010 |
| Junior Welterweight |  Lamont Peterson |
December 10, 2011 |
| Welterweight | Devon Alexander |
October 20, 2012 |
| Junior middleweight | Ishe Smith |
February 23, 2013 |
| Middleweight |  Daniel Geale |
May 7, 2011 |
| Super Middleweight | Carl Froch |
May 26, 2012 |
| Light Heavyweight | Bernard Hopkins |
March 9, 2013 |
| Cruiserweight |  Yoan Pablo Hernandez |
October 1, 2011 |
| Heavyweight |  Wladimir Klitschko |
April 22, 2006 |
Female
| Weight class: | Champion: | Date won: |
|---|---|---|
| Strawweight (105 lbs) | VACANT | |
| Junior flyweight (108 lbs) | VACANT | |
| Flyweight (112 lbs) | Ava Knight |
31 March 2012 |
| Junior bantamweight (115 lbs) |  Debora Dionicius |
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| Bantamweight (118 lbs) | Yazmin Rivas |
15 October 2011 |
| Junior featherweight (122 lbs) | Katy Wilson-Castillo |
24 March 2012 |
| Featherweight (126 lbs) | Dahianna Santana |
20 November 2011 |
| Junior lightweight (130 lbs) | Claudia Lopez |
|
| Lightweight (135 lbs) |  Delfine Persoon |
21 September 2012 |
| Junior welterweight (140 lbs) | VACANT | |
| Welterweight (147 lbs) | VACANT | |
| Junior middleweight (154 lbs) | VACANT | |
| Middleweight (160 lbs) | VACANT | |
| Super middleweight (168 lbs) | VACANT | |
| Light heavyweight (175 lbs) | VACANT | |
| Heavyweight (175+ lbs) | VACANT |
See also
Transition of IBF titles
Other world organizations
- International Boxing Hall of Fame recognized
- Other organizations
External links
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