WILLEMSTAD - Andy Frans, Vice President of the Curaçao Boxing Association (CuraBox), represented the island last week at a major international event in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The two-day gathering, held over the weekend, featured the Global Boxing Forum, the International Boxing Association (IBA) Ordinary Congress, and a spectacular Champions' Night.
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The Champions' Night was highlighted by a thrilling bout for the IBA Pro World title in the 80kg category, with Cuban boxer Arlen López facing off against Russia’s Sharabutdin Ataev.
Frans joined boxing leaders from around the globe to discuss the sport’s development, celebrate its achievements, and strategize for its future. The event brought together stakeholders who share a commitment to advancing boxing on a global scale.
However, the International Boxing Association (IBA) is currently not recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), which has urged national boxing federations to align with World Boxing (WB) instead. This ongoing dispute has created challenges for the sport's Olympic representation.
While Curaçao lacks a national Olympic committee, CuraBox plans to convene a special general meeting soon. This meeting will provide an opportunity for stakeholders to democratically determine the best course of action for Curaçao’s boxing community amid these global developments.
Frans’ participation in Dubai underscores Curaçao’s commitment to staying connected to international discussions and ensuring the island’s boxing community remains an active part of the sport’s evolution.