As shared by Chair, Niall O’Carroll, with the support IABA’s elected representatives in the Officer Board and Central Council, on March 19th, IABA will hold an Extraordinary General Meeting on April 12th. Notice was duly given on March 21st.
On March 24th, the International Olympic Committee wrote to World Boxing (attached), confirming that boxing is formally included in the LA 2028 Olympic Games, that World Boxing will be responsible for organising the boxing tournament at the Youth Olympic Games Dakar 2026, that World Boxing will be responsible for organizing all LA8 qualification tournaments, and organizing boxing at the Games itself. The correspondence is available here
Registration
- Registration for the EGM is now open, and will close at 2pm on April 10th. Register here: https://shout.com/s/tLCETBtX
- Eligibility – All clubs successfully affiliated for 2024/2025 season, as at 21st March, 2025
- Attendees: Eligible clubs may nominate any two adult members to attend as delegates – one to be a voting delegate, one to be a non-voting delegate. Delegates nominated by clubs must verified members – this means they must be included in the club’s affiliation application, through Blocworx, for the 2024/2025 season as members and be over the age of 18. *Please note, delegates will be required to present photographic identification (passport, drivers’ licence, etc) on the day of the EGM.
Member clubs will be asked to vote on two matters:
- Special Resolution 1: That, subject to consent of the Revenue Commissioners, the Constitution of the Company in the redline tracked form which relates to Special Resolution 1 attached and marked with the letter’s “Proposed Revised Constitution” be adopted as the revised agreed Constitution of the Company. This Special Resolution gives effect to clubs’ decision on October 12th 2024, to remove reference from IBA (AIBA) from IABA’s constitution,
Rationale: On 22nd June 2023 the IOC withdrew recognition of the International Boxing Association (IBA) in accordance with Rule 3.7 of the Olympic Charter. It was on foot of this that a special resolution was proposed to allow the IABA to remove all references to the IBA in its constitution to allow the association to freely affiliate with International Associations instead of being constitutionally required to subscribe to IBA exclusively.
A special resolution was placed before the Members on 26 August 2023 which achieved 71% of the vote in favour of decoupling mandatory constitutional obligations to the IBA. A constitutional change requires 75% of the vote in favour and accordingly the motion did not pass.
A majority of the member clubs constituting a quorum voted by way of Extraordinary General Meeting on 12 October 2024 in favour of a motion put forward by the Member clubs in the following form;
“To remove any references to IBA ( AIBA) from all relevant Objects in the IABA Constitution whether contained in the Memorandum or the Articles of Association.’
To give effect to the will and vote of IABA clubs, an EGM has been called, with the requisite notice period with the proposed tracked draft amended constitution to give effect to this Motion by way of the appropriate constitutional amendment vote.
This motion is about ensuring that IABA can better navigate difficult circumstances including external circumstances outside its control which have a bearing on the operation of the Company with regard to the objects clauses as adopted to date.
The proposed special resolution is to amend the Constitution of the Company to allow it to place the promotion of boxing in Ireland uncoupled with obligations that are inconsistent and distinct with those objects which relate to a third-party body as directed by the majority will of the member clubs.
- Should clubs pass Special Resolution 1 by 75% of votes cast, clubs will then be asked to vote on Ordinary Resolution 1: That the members vote to affiliate with World Boxing as a dual affiliate with the IBA.
Rationale: The IABA, by virtue of its constitution which precluded membership of any other international boxing association was not able to apply to join world boxing. IBA has in its congress of December 2024 has made provision for dual membership on a case-by-case basis. The logic for this Ordinary Resolution is to canvas to membership on their view of joining World Boxing.
If the Constitutional amendment reaches the 75% threshold, then the members are free to direct the company to join world boxing without any constitutional issues. If the Constitutional amendment does not reach the 75% threshold the members are being canvassed for their vote on whether or not to join World Boxing as a dual affiliate requiring the express permission of the IBA. (which may be withheld)
The threshold for this resolution is ordinary majority.
More Information
For the information of all clubs, World Boxing’s 2025 European calendar was sent to all clubs on February 24th, and is available HERE.
Club Opinions
All clubs are invited to share their thoughts here: https://shout.com/s/MyvFalc4