IBA promises boxers bumper rewards as Kenyan team heightens preps

The International Boxing Association (IBA) is promising boxers hefty cash prizes as the pugilists prepare to square it out in the upcoming Africa Boxing Confederation.

The competition has attracted both male and female boxers and will be staged in Mozambique Maputo from September 9. Over 30 countries have so far confirmed participation.

In a statement, the Africa Boxing Confederation (AFBC) President Bertrand Mendouga said the international federation is committed to uplifting boxing standards in Africa.

"IBA President Umar Kremlev has assured us of his full backing including prize money at our championships in Maputo. This is the beginning of a new era in Africa boxing, we're planning to bring on board mega sponsors to ensure we improve our standards through more  tournaments and incentives for our boxers starting with our premier event in Maputo," said Mendouga.

Gold medallists in Maputo will earn $10,000 (Ksh 1.2m), silver medallists $5000 and $2,500 for bronze medallists.

This follows a commitment that was made during IBA's International Boxing Day in DRC capital Kinshasa which was attended by among others DRC Boxing Federation President General Ferdinand Ilunga Luyoyo, Uganda Boxing Federation (UBF) President Moses Muhangi, AFBC board member Lukelo Willilo from Tanzania, Ethics Committee chairman David Pina from Angola and Head of President's office in Yaounde Kalong Andre Basil.

Luyoyo, one of the candidates vying for AFBC board of director's position in the upcoming elections in Maputo to fill the three remaining slots, thanked IBA's boss Kremlev for supporting Africa boxing, and called for unity among AFBC member federations to speed up boxing development in the continent.