The International Boxing Association (AIBA) has announced a raft of changes as they attempt to turn over a new leaf before the upcoming men’s world championships in Belgrade.
It follows damning revelations from an independent investigation at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
They indicated that more than ten fights in that tournament were manipulated for monetary purposes and other perceived benefits. The inquiry, led by Canadian lawyer Richard McLaren, also found that the conspiracy to fix the results in Rio could be traced back before the London Olympics four years earlier, and that a trial run was conducted by those behind the scheme during qualifying for the 2016 event.
The AIBA has now promised a tough selection process for referees, judges, and other technical officials prior to the start of the championships in Serbia. They include background and other checks on all potential candidates.
As a sign of their determination to make a fresh start, the AIBA will introduce commemorative belts and white gloves in Belgrade to replace the traditional red and blue.
Meanwhile, the medals will be made of solid gold and silver. There will also be significant prize money at stake, with a USD 2.6 million prize purse on offer to the medal winners.
White gloves are intended to symbolise fairness, transparency, and a desire to clean up the sport after the indiscretions of the past.
Some things will stay the same. The difference between the two corners will remain in the colour of the uniform, although participants will be allowed to wear their national flags on their kits as well.
The event begins in Belgrade on 24 October and more than 100 countries will be participating, India among them.
Many boxing insiders though doubt whether the AIBA can be trusted again after what happened in Rio and it is noteworthy that the 2021 Olympics was run with judges appointed by the IOC (International Olympic Committee).
A number of boxers had their dreams stolen from them in Brazil for reasons of corruption, and, it means, this time round, every close decision will be subject to the utmost scrutiny.