Having ended 2016 in a spirit of unity, AIBA’s President Dr Ching-Kuo Wu welcomed WBA President Mr Gilberto Mendoza to Taipei for a meeting to discuss the areas in which they can unify the boxing family at large. Mr Mendoza cited a family motto, ‘We can do it, let’s do it, let’s do it together’ as the organisations looked to ways of sharing their expertise for the good of the sport.
“This was an important moment for two organisations with shared principles and goals on many subjects. As boxing’s only IOC-recognised body, AIBA has well-established education programmes and research across twelve commissions of experts to share with the boxing world. Equally, as we continue to expand our own professional competitions, with Season VII of WSB having recently begun, we can work with WBA to explore new markets and bring even more benefits to our athletes, the fans and the boxing family as a whole,” said AIBA President Dr Ching-Kuo Wu following the meeting.
“I am delighted that the discussions between WBA and AIBA continue to reveal common goals that will help us to keep pushing boxing forward together for the benefit of everyone with a love for this sport. By opening up Olympic qualification to professional organisations ahead of Rio 2016, AIBA took a major step towards bringing greater unity to world boxing and I have no doubt that together we can continue to create lasting programmes that will positively shape the sport we both represent,” said WBA President Mr Gilberto Mendoza.
AIBA has always worked in tandem with the IOC on the development of education policies, anti-doping campaigns and the strengthening of boxing from its grassroots right through to the elite level and this meeting will pave the way for wider knowledge-sharing between AIBA and WBA on these subjects alongside the creation of further opportunities for the sport and its athletes.
Also in attendance at the meeting with AIBA President Dr Ching-Kuo Wu and WBA President Mr Gilberto Mendoza were AIBA Acting Executive Director Mr William Louis-Marie, WBA Board Member Mr Julio Thyme and WBA Championship Committee Chairman Mr George Martinez.
