Wladimir Klitschko Unhappy With WBA’s Latest Move Involving Russian Boxers
The WBA previously removed Russia-based boxers from their rankings due to the war Russia brought to the Ukraine.
Former heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko is not happy over the World Boxing Association’s decision to reinstate Russia-base boxers in its rankings.
Klitschko, a retired Ukraine-based fighter who is currently defending his homeland against the Russian military, has condemned the move and asked the sanctioning body to rethink its move.
In a Twitter post, the former champion posted a video of himself where he urged the organization to go for a “clean up.”
“Boxing needs more transparency, not more greed,” he said. “The collaboration between WBA and IBA [International Boxing Association, formerly AIBA] is a stain on the coat of the noble art.
“The decision to reinstate Russian and Belarusian boxers is an indelible moral fault. It is no coincidence that the IOC [International Olympic Committee] persists in excluding boxing from the 2028 Olympic Games. Boxing needs one big clean-up.”
Last Wednesday, the WBA explained why it will no longer exclude Russian boxers.
“The World Boxing Association (WBA), through its Championships Committee and Ratings Committee, issued a statement in which it decided to reinstate Russian and Belarusian boxers to their place in the rankings,” the organization stated.
“The athletes from this country are not soldiers or part of the government. Therefore, they have nothing to do with the war against Ukraine.
“However, it was determined that any fighter who speaks out in favor of the war or is involved in it will be removed immediately.”