IBA need to 'float like a butterfly and sting like a bee' if they are to make real changes

ISTANBUL - “This is the Oscars of boxing!” 

These were the excitable words of former World Boxing Council (WBC) and International Boxing Organization (IBO) heavyweight champion Tyson Fury.

The retired Mancunian, also known as “The Gypsy King”, also exclaimed “Show me the money” when asked if he would make a comeback for a shot at the International Boxing Association (IBA) Pro heavyweight championship belt - which just so happens to be 5.5 kilograms of pure gold.

Fury’s comments though were in line with the spectacular events on a glorious sunlit day alongside the Bosphorus where the IBA were launching a ‘Golden Era’ ahead of the IBA.Pro 7 Champions’ Night at the Rixos Tersane Istanbul.

The ‘A-listers’ were all there on full HD display. Alongside Fury was former undisputed welterweight and junior welterweight champion Terence Crawford, Rasheda Ali - daughter of the late Muhamad Ali, the face of Turkish Airlines,  actor Kerem Bursin, IBA President Umar Kremlev and none other than British supermodel Naomi Campbell. 

In fact, Campbell headlined a glittering fashion show that lit up the press conference.

While one the oldest boxing organisations may have been under a cloud since 2023 due to the International Olympic Committee voted to formally revoke its recognition of the IBA, they are certainly doing their best to change their narrative by not only putting on a show par excellence, but also investing heavily into amateur boxing. 

One of the panelists was US-based Bangladeshi female Olympic boxer Zinnat Ferdous. 

The Queens resident, who has won the light flyweight Mandela South African Boxing Club title previously, gave a rousing talk about how ‘My corporate job funds my very expensive hobby’, but due to the IBA offering winning purses to amateurs she’s being able to reinvest in her developing her boxing career. 

Furthermore, Ferdous’ trailblazing boxing journey, which ‘started at 27 with no prior experience playing any sports’ is about far more than only championship belts, but rather a source of inspiration for the millions of Bangladeshi girls back home in the much more traditional metropolis’ of Dhaka and Chittagong where women playing sport remains frowned upon.

“When I started this journey, and Bangladesh approached me to represent them on the international stage, I was a little nervous,” Firdous said.

“Will they accept me? Will they want a female to fight for them?

“But they have proved me wrong. They have been really supportive. 

“Unfortunately due to the lack of funding, I haven’t been able to take it as far as I would have liked. But in general there is support. They are supporting me, as best they can do. 

“I’ve already seen in New York City an influx of Bangladeshis come to my gym, saying ‘I want to be the next Bangladeshi boxer’. So, we are training some now. The goal is to inspire the next generation.”

Ferdous certainly did not need to look far for a role model for herself with Rasheda Ali also regaling the audience with tales of her late father. 

“Daddy was always bigger than boxing. He wanted to help others, not just in the ring, but as a human being wanted people to do great things. 

“I want to say one thing about the IBA. The IBA is walking a crossroad between incredible talent and massive global influence. And that’s the path my Dad walked. 

“He didn’t just walk that path. He owned it. For a long time. 

“The IBA’s paths and my dad’s are the same. The IBA are doing a great job in showing compassion to fighters who otherwise would not have an opportunity.

“My dad had extreme faith. There’s no question that he chose the other path, and went against the establishment for good causes. He chose faith over power. It was his religion (Islam) that gave him the courage to speak up for those that couldn’t speak for themselves. He chose unity over division using boxing as his platform to change the world.

“So, I think the IBA and my Daddy’s dream is coinciding.”

The IBA have done their talking. Now like the great Muhammad Ali they have to  “float like a butterfly and sting like a bee” if they are going to make real changes to the sweet science.