"I am happy that Thomas Bach heard the voice of common sense and will step down. Enough is enough; he had his chance to bring something good into the world of sports, but he failed. Now it’s high time a new strong leader is in a position to lead the Olympic movement," read  Kremlev's statement, published on the IBA's official website on Monday. 

Tensions between the IBA (formerly AIBA) and the IOC began long before Kremlev's presidency, but relations between the two organisations have only worsened since the IBA was sripped of Olympic recognition over "financial transparency and governance at the IBA" last year. 

However, the IOC forgot to remove the IBA from the Olympic Charter until the IOC 143 session, which took place on 23 July 2024 in Paris.

"As for the IBA, we will continue to provide the best conditions for our boxers worldwide and will keep working hard to ensure that our sport is thriving. We are open to establish communication with a new IOC leader as soon as they are elected for the sake of our boxers and the sport's Olympic future," Kremlev said.

The Russian official has already criticised Bach on several occasions. In December 2023, he said that "Thomas Bach holds a position he doesn't deserve" and that "athletes are treated like slaves". In July 2024, Kremlev called for Bach's resignation in an open letter to IOC members. On 2 August, Kremlev called Bach and his team "corrupt and undermining the Olympic family" after the gender row in women's boxing at Paris 2024.

He also criticised Bach for the Paris 2024 opening ceremony and the mismanagement of the Olympic movement, in which the IOC does not give money back to athletes who earn billions for the organisation.

Kremlev also insists that the leadership of the IOC should be elected by the stakeholders, the NOCs and IFs, and not by the elite group of IOC members.

"Honesty and transparency always win over corruption and avidity. In this crisis situation the climax of which happened in Paris, it’s high time that we cleaned the Olympic movement from the wrongdoings, as we have managed to do with IBA from the past of AIBA. I reiterate that our organisation has never had any problems with the Olympic movement but with its current leadership. I am looking forward to a new future of the Olympic movement," Kremlev concluded.

In the statement published on the IBA website, the organisation reiterated that "the IBA is the only organisation capable of taking a position to support any future programme" and mocked World Boxing's bid to run Olympic boxing.

"They had no chance, unless the IOC was willing to breach their own rules. IBA, in turn, has everything to be recognised. The only reason why it is not happening is political or personal vindictiveness towards IBA from the IOC leadership," the statement said.

Finally, the IBA urged the National Federations not to be afraid and to remain strong,

"There is no secret that the NOCs across the globe are being driven by the IOC, applying pressure on their respective National Federations, and threatening to cut them off financially. There are no alternatives to IBA in terms of its opportunities and investments in the sport," the statement concluded.