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The International Boxing Organization (IBO) is a US based corporation that sanctions professional boxing matches and awards world and regional championships.[1][2]
It is an independent organization not recognized by the "big four" governing bodies (WBA, WBC, IBF and 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.[2] 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.[3]
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.[4]
The IBO permits only one world champion per weight division.[5] "We have never had more than one champion per weight division nor will we", according to its president Ed Levine.[6]
In addition to world champions, IBO recognizes regional champions, including the Inter-Continental champion.[5] If an IBO Inter-Continental champion successfully defends his title three times, he may receive a mandatory opportunity for the world title.[7]
組織間の大きな違いの1つは、IBOが各階級で1人の世界チャンピオンのみを認めるという方針である。対照的に、WBAなどの他の組織は、同じ階級に複数のチャンピオンタイトルを設けているため、ファンと選手の両方を混乱させていると批判されている。たとえば、WBAには「スーパー」チャンピオンと通常のチャンピオンが存在することが多く、タイトルの認定が複雑になっている。[ 8 ]
IBOは、インターコンチネンタルチャンピオンを含む地域チャンピオンを認定し、これらの選手が防衛に成功した後に世界タイトルに挑戦するための明確な道筋を提供している。
IBOは、ランキングにテクノロジーを使用することでボクシングの透明性と信頼性が向上すると主張している。[ 9 ] WBCやWBAなどの他の認定団体は、長く輝かしい歴史を持っているが、両者ともランキングの一部について批判を受けており、多くの人が、ランキングは選手の実際の能力よりもプロモーターや政治的な影響を反映していると主張している。[ 10 ]
2024年10月19日現在