Ghanaian boxers and other African fighters stand to benefit from a major expansion in prize money and competition opportunities following the launch of the International Boxing Association’s (IBA) new IBA Elite pathway and inaugural President’s Cup.
The President’s Cup, scheduled for Istanbul in December, will feature a $3 million prize fund and serve as the first competition under the IBA Elite programme.
The open event is designed to bring elite amateur and professional boxers together while creating a continuous competitive pathway through the IBA World Ranking system.
For Ghana, the new pathway offers elite boxers another avenue to gain international exposure, earn substantial financial rewards and potentially strengthen national federation resources through success on the IBA stage.
For African fighters, the initiative could provide more regular opportunities to compete against high-level international opposition while earning significant prize money.
The IBA says the new system is intended to prevent boxers from being lost in the transition between amateur and professional careers, with ranking points linking performances to future President’s Cups, World Championships and opportunities in IBA Pro.
IBA Secretary General and CEO Chris Roberts said the organisation wanted to support boxers throughout their careers.
“We want to look after our boxers right the way through,” Roberts said, explaining that ranking points, prize money and regular competition opportunities would encourage athletes to remain within the new system.
The President’s Cup will award $100,000 to each gold medallist, $50,000 to silver medallists and $25,000 to bronze medallists. In addition, every victory from the opening round will earn a boxer $1,000.
A women’s edition of the competition is planned for 2027.
The financial model also has direct implications for national federations. Under the IBA Elite structure, President’s Cup prize money will be shared among the boxer, coach and national federation, potentially increasing the financial benefits for countries such as Ghana when their athletes succeed.
An even bigger prize awaits at the IBA World Championships, where IBA President Umar Kremlev has announced a $20 million purse, up from the $8 million distributed at the 2025 World Championships in Dubai.
Each gold medallist at the World Championships will receive $1 million.
“Everything the International Boxing Association earns belongs to the coaches and athletes,” Kremlev said, stressing the need for the organisation to create the best possible conditions for boxers.
The developments come at a significant time for African boxing, with IBA heavyweight Derek Chisora welcoming the increased opportunities for fighters across the world, including those from Africa.
For Ghanaian and other African boxers, the expanded IBA structure could therefore provide a new route to international competition, greater financial rewards and increased visibility on the global boxing stage.
