Russian boxers to return to the ring as pro boxing ban lifted

Sport was suspended last February by the IBA amid allegations of corruption and financial mismanagement.

Russian boxers will be allowed to return to the ring after the International Boxing Association (IBA) lifted a ban on the country's fighters and officials.

The IBA suspended Russia and Belarus in March 2022 after Russia invaded Ukraine, and the ban was due to expire on May 31.

However, the IBA has now announced that the ban has been lifted with immediate effect.

The IBA said in a statement:

"The IBA Board of Directors has decided to lift the suspension of the Russian Boxing Federation and the Boxing Federation of Belarus with immediate effect.

"This decision was made after careful consideration of all relevant factors, including the current situation in Ukraine and the IBA's commitment to the Olympic values of peace, solidarity, and fair play.

"The IBA believes that boxing is a sport that can bring people together and promote peace and understanding, and that the lifting of the suspension will allow Russian and Belarusian boxers to compete on a level playing field with their peers from other countries.

The IBA added that it would continue to monitor the situation in Ukraine and would take any necessary action in the future.

The lifting of the ban is a boost for Russian boxing, which has a strong history in the sport.

Russia has produced some of the greatest boxers in history, including Olympic champions such as Valeri Popenchenko, Nikolai Valuev, and Evgeniy Tishchenko.

The return of Russian boxers to the ring is also a boost for the IBA, which has been criticized for its handling of the ban.

The IBA has been accused of being too lenient on Russia, and some critics have called for the ban to be maintained.

However, the IBA has defended its decision, saying that it is in the best interests of boxing.