Nigeria Deny Joining World Boxing, Pledges Loyalty To IBA

By: Gyang Dakwo

Nigeria Boxing Federation (NBF), has denied claims that it has joined World Boxing, committing its “firm loyalty” to the International Boxing Association (IBA).

This comes after negotiations, was announced as the first member of World Boxing from the continent along with Finland, Iceland, Jamaica, Norway, and the Czech Republic.

However, NBF Vice-President Azania Omo-Agege, in a statement circulated to African Boxing Confederation (AFBC) members and made available to the media, has denied the development.

“We reaffirm our firm loyalty to IBA the sole IOC recognised international body and we stand in solidarity with IBA family,” Omo-Agege, who is also Acting President of AFBC, said.

Omo-Agege said the news of Nigeria joining World Boxing was circulated to “tarnish the image of AFBC and IBA” and “will be dealt with internally”.

“I wish to make it unequivocally clear that the NBF dissociates itself from World Boxing,” he continued.

“A significant decision of this magnitude can only be made by the Board and the Congress neither of which was convened.

“As the vice-president of NBF I affirm I’m not aware of any rigorous application to join World Boxing.”

The IBA, expelled by the International Olympic Committee, recently had a spat with AFBC, after the continental body’s Congress to elect a new President this month in Durban was postponed due to a row over the list of candidates.

NBF’s denial comes less than two day after the announcement by World Boxing that Nigeria is the first African member of the body.

World Boxing is a recently established international Federation aiming to keep boxing at the heart of the Olympic Movement following the suspension of IBA.