There is debate currently brewing in the Ghanaian boxing fraternity about the authenticity and pedigree of the International Boxing Organization (IBO).
Well, that is a debate that astute boxing scribes like Nii Nettey Nettey,Daniel David Quartey, Prince Dornu- Leiku, Dennis Moore, Samuel Ofosuhene and yours truly Sammy Heywood Okine will subsequently expansiate on later.
But for now boxingghana.com decided to find out more about IBO as a sanctioning body.
Preamble
The International Boxing Organization (IBO) is a non-profit organization that sanctions professional boxing matches and awards world and regional championships.
History.
The IBO was founded in 1988 and incorporated in Illinois in 1992 by John W. Daddono. The organization was later moved to Florida in 1996 and incorporated in Florida at that time. Ed Levine, who continues to serve as the organization’s President became a partner and President of the IBO in 1999.
The organization received acclaim by implementing a computerized system ‘The Independent World Boxing Rankings’ in the late 1990s that removed subjective elements from the ratings in an effort to bring more credibility to the sport.
From 2014 the organization now uses Boxrec, the independent boxing records keeping and computerized rankings website for IBO’s rankings.[2] Many marquee champions have held and continue to hold the International Boxing Organization World title.
If a fighter tests positive for banned substances after a bout, he is barred from a rematch.
The IBO permits only one champion per weight division. “We have never had more than one champion per weight division nor will we.”
If an IBO Intercontinental champion successfully defends his title three times, he may receive a mandatory opportunity for the world title.
Notable past and current IBO Champions
Vinny Pazienza, former Super Middleweight champion
List;
- Tomasz Adamek, former Cruiserweight champion
Danny Green, former Cruiserweight champion
Thomas Hearns, former Cruiserweight champion
Lennox Lewis, former Heavyweight champion
Brian Nielsen, former Heavyweight champion
James Toney, former Cruiserweight champion
Wladimir Klitschko, former Heavyweight champion
Roy Jones, Jr., former Light Heavyweight champion
Paulie Ayala, former Super Bantamweight champion
Marco Antonio Barrera, former Featherweight champion
Naseem Hamed, former Featherweight champion
Jeff Lacy, former Super Middleweight champion
Floyd Mayweather, Jr., former Welterweight champion
Ricky Hatton, former Light Welterweight champion
Robin Reid, former Super Middleweight champion
Carl Thompson, former Cruiserweight champion
Credit Sammy Heywood Okine