When the war started in Ukraine, the world boxing governing bodies made some decisions, such as not to make fights in Russia, not to certify fights involving Russian or Belarusian fighters and to remove fighters from both countries from their rankings. For the World Boxing Association, the veto ends and they will be included again in their lists.
Why did the WBA lift the veto for Russia and Belarus?
For the WBA, which celebrates its Centennial Convention in Orlando, United States, the athletes of those countries are not soldiers nor have any relation in Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, but if they pronounce themselves in favor of the armed conflict they will be removed.
“The World Boxing Association (WBA), through its Championships Committee and Rankings Committee, issued a statement in which it decided to return their place in the rankings to fighters from Russia and Belarus. The athletes from this country are not soldiers or part of the government, so they have nothing to do with the war against Ukraine or any ongoing conflict. However, it was determined that any fighter who speaks out in favor of the war or is involved in it will be removed immediately,” he says.
The WBA’s decision is in favor of boxing
Gilberto Mendoza Jr. is the man who heads the WBA, an organization that is in favor of the sport and that is why they made the decision after extensive deliberation, in the hope that soon boxers from Russia and Belarus will be able to dispute world titles.
“For the sake of the sport and in favor of the careers of these fighters, they will be able to return to the rankings and fight for WBA titles. The decision was taken after an extensive deliberation of all the members of both committees in the framework of the centennial Convention of the World Boxing Association (WBA), which is being held since last Sunday, December 11 at the Caribe Royale Hotel, Orlando, Florida.”