Addis Ababa hosts IBA Champions' Night for the first time in Africa. IBA

The first IBA Champions' Night on the African continent will take place on 17 August in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The announcement was made at a press conference with the authorities of the country, members of the African Boxing Confederation (AFBC) and the IBA. The event will feature African boxers.

Africa was an unfinished business. The continent had yet to host one of the most important events of the International Boxing Association (IBA), and on 17 August it will finally do so.

The news was announced at a joint press conference held by IBA Secretary General and CEO, Chris Roberts OBE, who was in Africa to make the announcement along with AFBC President, Mr Eyassu Wossen, AFBC Deputy Secretary General, Mr Yohannes Birhane and Ethiopia's Minister of Culture and Sports, Mrs Shawit Shanka Shashigo.

"The Champions' Night is a key project for us, a flagship product. When it comes to Ethiopia in August, you will see its size and scale. Chris Roberts OBE said, "We are confident that the first Champions' Night in Africa will be a great success with the support of the AFBC leadership and the Ethiopian government".

The Champions’ Night will visit Africa for the first time. IBA
The Champions’ Night will visit Africa for the first time. IBA

"The fight card will feature African talent, which will give a boost to the continent and attract local fans. I am confident that we will see the rise of new African stars after this event", he said.

Ethiopia is a global athletics powerhouse with some of the best athletes in history. Its ambitious and open policies are giving an exponential boost to other sports. Boxing is one of the disciplines that is set to take off.

"My team is working closely with the IBA to put on the best Champions' Night ever. AFBC President Wossen said, "We're proud to be hosting this popular event for the first time in Africa.This event is crucial in raising the profile of boxing and providing the necessary resources for its continued growth. Minister Shashigo added, "I would like to invite everyone to the IBA Champions' Night", he said.

The Champions’ Night always becomes an opportunity for boxers. IBA
The Champions’ Night always becomes an opportunity for boxers. IBA

All parties involved in the organisation of the event are working to ensure that it has an element of continuity.The opportunity for young talent to have a reference point for growth and a competition in which to set their goals is crucial. Boxing in Africa is making great strides forward. 

Traditionally, the African powerhouses have been Algeria and Morocco, which achieved good rankings at the last Olympic Games in Tokyo 2020, with Algeria having seven and Morocco six. Cameroon and Zambia also secured three Olympic places each.

Boxing has spread across the continent. It is now considered a viable sport in almost every country. Events like this, Champions' Night, coming to Africa for the first time, give a boost to those boxers who need a push. The IBA has shown that it wants to support the rise of boxing on the continent. The Mandela African Boxing in Durban is proof of that.