Boxing | Gafur Rakhimov elected AIBA president despite clear warning from IOC

The International Boxing Federation(AIBA) had come under huge criticism from the International Olympic Committee(IOC) for the candidature of Gafur Rakhimov for the presidency of AIBA. The IOC is yet to make boxing an official entrant for the Olympics 2020 and now after the election of Rakhimov as the President of the AIBA has put the IOC and AIBA on a collision course. The US Treasury has Rakhimov on what it calls it’s “sanctions list” for links to organised crime networks.

The election took place on Saturday with the only other candidate to contest being Serik Konakbayev. Rakhimov defeated Konakbayev cleary by a majority of 86-48. On the other hand, Konakbayev who was defeated in a one-sided election sounded disappointed for being on the losing side. 

“I am obviously disappointed with the result but I remain committed to our sport and I promise to continue fighting for the future of Olympic boxing and the Olympic dreams of boxers everywhere. My team is reviewing the decision as well as the election process,” Konakbayev said.

“As I said throughout my campaign, this is not the end but the start of a movement to reform the world governing body and save boxing. We will not give up the fight. round one is over, the bell for round two is chiming. I thank everyone who supported me. Together we will make boxing great again!”