View source for International Boxing Organization

{{Short description|Sanctioning organization for professional boxing bouts}}
{{More refs|date=November 2024}}
{{Tone|date=January 2025}}
{{Infobox organization
| name = International Boxing Organization
| bgcolor = 
| fgcolor = 
| image = Logo of IBO.jpg
| image_border = 
| size = 
| alt = 
| caption = 
| map = 
| msize = 
| malt = 
| mcaption = 
| abbreviation = IBO
| extinction = 
| type = [[Privately held company|Private]]
| status = 
| purpose = Boxing sanctioning organization
| formation = {{start date and age|df=yes|1988||}}
| headquarters = [[Coral Gables, Florida|Coral Gables]], [[Florida]], U.S.
| region_served = Worldwide
| membership = 
| language = 
| leader_title = President
| leader_name = Ed Levine
| main_organ = Board of Directors
| parent_organization = 
| affiliations = 
| num_staff = 
| num_volunteers = 
| budget = 
| website = {{URL|iboboxing.com}}
| remarks = 
}}

The '''International Boxing Organization''' ('''IBO''') is a US based corporation that sanctions [[professional boxing]] matches and awards world and regional championships.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iboboxing.com/|title=Official website - International Boxing Organization|work=iboboxing.com|access-date=2010-12-24|archive-date=2006-11-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061103121237/http://www.iboboxing.com/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=SI>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.si.com/boxing/2023/07/21/does-boxing-need-another-major-title-ibo|title=Does Boxing Need Another Major Title?|first=Chris|last=Mannix|magazine=Sports Illustrated|date=July 21, 2023|access-date=November 17, 2024}}</ref>

It is an independent organization not recognized by the "big four" governing bodies ([[World Boxing Association|WBA]], [[World Boxing Council|WBC]], [[International Boxing Federation|IBF]] and [[World Boxing Organization|WBO]]), who only recognize each other in their rankings and title unification rules. Despite this, as of 2023, IBO titles have been unified with titles of the other bodies in several weight divisions.<ref name=SI/>
The WBC website highlights the importance of title recognition and the implications of multiple governing bodies in boxing. While the IBO operates independently, its titles being unified with the WBA, IBF, and WBO in certain divisions demonstrates how these organizations work together despite initial rivalries.<ref>{{cite web |title=World Boxing Council |url=https://www.wbcboxing.com/}}</ref>
{{Shallow reference inline|date=February 2025}}

== History ==
The IBO was founded in 1988 and incorporated in Illinois in 1992 by John W. Daddono. The organization was later moved to Florida in 1997 and incorporated in Florida at that time. Ed Levine, who continues to serve as the organization's President became a partner and President of the IBO at that time.

The organization implemented a computerized system 'The Independent World Boxing Rankings' in the late 1990s that removed subjective elements from the ratings in an effort to bring more credibility to the sport. From 2014 the organization now employs [[Boxrec]], the independent boxing records keeper and computerized rankings website to produce IBO's rankings.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.saddoboxing.com/Boxing-Rankings/IBO-International-Boxing-Organization.php|title=IBO Top 100 - Computerized Rankings - International Boxing Organization|publisher=Saddoboxing|access-date=2016-10-28|archive-date=2016-10-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161028215405/http://www.saddoboxing.com/Boxing-Rankings/IBO-International-Boxing-Organization.php|url-status=live}}</ref>

The IBO permits only one world champion per weight division.<ref name =rules>{{Cite web|url=https://www.iboboxing.com/iborulesandregulations|title=Ibo Rules & Regulations|access-date=2021-10-20|archive-date=2021-10-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211020163318/https://www.iboboxing.com/iborulesandregulations|url-status=live}}</ref> "We have never had more than one champion per weight division nor will we", according to its president Ed Levine.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://ontheropesboxing.com/ed-levine-it-doesnt-get-any-better-than-golovkin-vs-brook-two-undefeated-superstars-both-champions/ |title=Ed Levine Interview 16 August 2016 |publisher=OnTheRopesBoxing.com |date=August 16, 2016 |access-date=14 April 2018 |archive-date=15 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180415063420/http://ontheropesboxing.com/ed-levine-it-doesnt-get-any-better-than-golovkin-vs-brook-two-undefeated-superstars-both-champions/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

In addition to world champions, IBO recognizes regional champions, including the Inter-Continental champion.<ref name =rules/> If an IBO Inter-Continental champion successfully defends his title three times, he may receive a mandatory opportunity for the world title.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://ontheropesboxing.com/ed-levine-we-have-had-respect-for-many-years-with-marque-champions-holding-ibo-world-titles-such-as-lewis-hatton-jones-jr-and-manny-pacquiao/ |title=Ed Levine Interview 15 May 2014 |publisher=OnTheRopesBoxing.com |date=May 15, 2014 |access-date=14 April 2018 |archive-date=15 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180415063613/http://ontheropesboxing.com/ed-levine-we-have-had-respect-for-many-years-with-marque-champions-holding-ibo-world-titles-such-as-lewis-hatton-jones-jr-and-manny-pacquiao/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
== Characteristics ==
=== Championship format ===
One of the biggest differences between organizations is the IBO's policy to recognize only one world champion in each weight division. In contrast, other organizations like the WBA have been criticized for having multiple championship titles in the same division, confusing fans and fighters alike. For example, the WBA often has "super" champions and regular champions, which muddies the waters of title recognition.<ref>{{cite web |title=WBA Boxing | date=11 February 2009 |url=https://www.wbaboxing.com/wba-super-champions/wba-super-championships#:~:text=The%20SUPER%20WORLD%20CHAMPION%20CATEGORY,World%20Boxing%20Organization%20(WBO).}}</ref>

=== Regional titles ===
The IBO recognizes regional champions, including the Inter-Continental champion, and provides a clear pathway for these fighters to challenge for the world title after successful defenses.

=== Credibility and transparency ===
IBO claims their use of technology in rankings improves transparency and credibility in boxing.<ref>{{cite web |title=International Boxing Organization |url=https://www.iboboxing.com/}}</ref> The other sanctioning bodies, such as the WBC and WBA, have long and storied histories, but both have come under fire for some of their rankings, which many argue are more reflective of promoters' and political influences than fighters' actual abilities.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Barra |first1=Allen |title=Corruption Is the No. 1 Contender |website=[[The New York Times]] |date=24 November 1999 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1999/11/24/opinion/corruption-is-the-no-1-contender.html}}</ref>

== Notable past IBO champions ==
{{div col|colwidth=30em}}
*[[Nonito Donaire]], flyweight  
*[[Marco Antonio Barrera]], featherweight 
*[[Naseem Hamed]], featherweight
*[[Boxing career of Manny Pacquiao|Manny Pacquiao]], light welterweight
*[[Ricky Hatton]], light welterweight
*[[Floyd Mayweather Jr.]], welterweight
*[[Sergio Martínez (boxer)|Sergio Martínez]], super welterweight
*[[Erislandy Lara]], super welterweight
*[[Bernard Hopkins]], light heavyweight
*[[Roy Jones Jr.]], light heavyweight
*[[Antonio Tarver]], light heavyweight, cruiserweight
*[[Thomas Hearns]], cruiserweight 
*[[James Toney]], cruiserweight
*[[Brian Nielsen (boxer)|Brian Nielsen]], heavyweight 
*[[Lennox Lewis]], heavyweight
*[[Tyson Fury]], heavyweight
*[[Wladimir Klitschko]], heavyweight 
*[[Anthony Joshua]], heavyweight 
{{div col end}}

==Current IBO world title holders==
As of October 19, 2024

===Male===
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align: center""
|-
!Weight class:
!Champion:
!Reign began:
!Days
|-
|[[Minimumweight]]
||{{font color|gray|vacant}}
|-
|-
|[[Light flyweight]]
|Mpumelelo Tshabalala
| September 14, 2024
|{{age in days|2024|09|14}}
|-
|[[Flyweight]]
|[[Ricardo Malajika]]
|March 1, 2025
| {{age in days|2025|03|01}}
|-
|[[Super flyweight]]
|[[Ricardo Malajika]]
|September 2, 2023
| {{age in days|2023|09|02}}
|-
|[[Bantamweight]]
|{{font color|gray|vacant}}
|
|
|-
|[[Super bantamweight]]
|[[Shabaz Masoud]]
|November 2, 2024
| {{age in days|2024|11|02}}
|-
|[[Featherweight]]
|[[Dayan Gonzalez]] 
| December 6, 2024
|{{age in days|2024|12|06}}
|-
|[[Super featherweight]]
|[[Anthony Cacace]]
| September 24, 2022
| {{age in days|2022|09|24}} 
|-
|[[Lightweight]]
|{{font color|gray|vacant}}
|
|
|-
|[[Super lightweight]]
|[[Adam Azim]]
| February 2, 2025
| {{age in days|2025|02|01}}
|-
|[[Welterweight]]
|[[Tulani Mbenge]]
|October 19, 2024
|{{age in days|2024|10|19}}
|-
|[[Super welterweight]]
|[[Uisma Lima]]
|December 12, 2024
|{{age in days |2024|12|12}}
|-
|[[Middleweight]]
|[[Chris Eubank Jr]]
|October 12, 2024
|{{age in days|2024|10|12}}
|-
|[[Super middleweight]]
|[[Osleys Iglesias]]
|December 9, 2022
|{{age in days|2022|12|09}}
|-
|[[Light heavyweight]]
|[[Dmitry Bivol]]
|February 23, 2025
|{{age in days|2025|02|22}}
|-
|[[Cruiserweight (boxing)|Cruiserweight]]
|[[Juergen Uldedaj]]
|October 25, 2025
|{{age in days|2025|10|25}}
|-
|[[Heavyweight]]
|[[Oleksandr Usyk]]
| September 25, 2021
| {{age in days|2021|9|25}}
|-
|}

===Female===
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align: center""
|-
!Weight class:
!Champion:
!Reign began:
!Days
|-
|-
|[[Minimumweight]]
|[[Sarah Bormann]]
| May 21, 2022
| {{age in days|2022|05|21}}
|-
|[[Light flyweight]]
|[[Nina Radovanović]]
|March 23, 2024
|{{age in days|2024|03|23}}
|-
|[[Flyweight]]
|[[Nicola Hopewell]]
|July 19, 2025
|{{age in days|2025|07|19}}
|-
|[[Super flyweight]]
|Angelica Lukas
|5 October 2024
|{{age in days|2024|10|5}}
|-
|[[Bantamweight]]
|[[Amanda Galle]]
|December 10, 2023
|{{age in days|2023|12|10}}
|-
|[[Super bantamweight]]
|[[Ellie Scotney]]
|January 25, 2025
|{{age in days|2025|1|25}}
|-
|[[Featherweight]]
|[[Amanda Serrano]]
|March 25, 2021
|{{age in days|2021|3|25}}
|-
|[[Super featherweight]]
|[[Alycia Baumgardner]]
|November 13, 2021
|{{age in days|2021|11|13}}
|-
|[[Lightweight]]
|[[Caroline Dubois (boxer)|Caroline Dubois]]
|September 30, 2023
| {{age in days|2023|9|30}}
|-
|[[Super lightweight]]
|[[Katie Taylor]]
|May 20, 2023
| {{age in days|2023|5|20}}
|-
|[[Welterweight]]
|[[Lauren Price]]
|May 11, 2024
| {{age in days|2024|5|11}}
|-
|[[Super welterweight]]
|[[Oshae Jones]]
|November 22, 2024
|{{age in days|2024|11|22}}
|-
|[[Middleweight]]
| {{font color|gray|vacant}}
|
|
|-
|[[Super middleweight]]
|{{font color|gray|vacant}}
|
|
|-
|[[Light heavyweight]]
| {{font color|gray|vacant}}
|
|
|-
|[[Cruiserweight boxing|Cruiserweight]]
| {{font color|gray|vacant}}
|
|
|-
|[[Heavyweight]]
| {{font color|gray|vacant}}
|
|
|-
|}

== See also ==
*[[List of IBO world champions]]
*[[List of IBO female world champions]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*{{Official website|https://www.iboboxing.com/}}

{{World boxing champions}}

[[Category:International Boxing Organization| ]]
[[Category:Professional boxing governing bodies]]
[[Category:International sports organizations]]
[[Category:Sports organizations established in 1988]]