ISTANBUL — International Boxing Association President Umar Kremlev has announced that winners at the 2026 IBA World Amateur Championships will receive a $1million prize. The announcement was made during Tuesday’s press conference in Istanbul, Turkey, where Kremlev confirmed the organisation has increased its total prize fund from $8million at the 2025 edition.
“The boxer who takes first place will receive $1million,” Kremlev said. “Everything the International Boxing Association earns belongs to the coaches and athletes, because it is thanks to them that our international boxing home exists. We must do everything to ensure the best conditions are created for our athletes.”
The IBA, formerly AIBA, is no longer recognised by the International Olympic Committee following issues with governance, financial transparency and referee integrity. World Boxing, whose president is middleweight great Gennady Golovkin, is now provisionally recognised by the IOC ahead of the Olympic Games in 2028, with its annual world championships now seen as the official tournament. There were issues in 2025 with some nations electing to compete in one tournament over the other.
Kremlev said he will not stand in the way of fighters competing in both championships and expressed respect for his counterpart. “Gennady Golovkin is a legendary athlete and I have deep respect for him,” he said. “There is no conflict and no standoff whatsoever. We are open to any options. We will design our calendar so that athletes are free to take part in any event they like. The most important thing for us is to create great conditions for boxers.”