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The IBO, Prominent Champions and Top 100 Computerized Rankings
(IBO Editorial)
The I.B.O. congratulates
Wladimir Klitschko on his stunning knockout victory over Tony Thompson
in Hamburg, Germany. The continuing and growing pattern of the best
boxers such as Wladimir Klitschko, Ricky Hatton, and Antonio Tarver
fighting for I.B.O. titles is partly the result of the I.B.O.'s belief
that top-flight boxers, promoters and managers – the sport's truly
frontline people – need not have a sanctioning body dictate to them
just whom they will fight next. They have discovered the importance of
staying independent, which the I.B.O. is unique in offering.
The I.B.O. believes that television networks which showcase boxing are
in a better position than sanctioning bodies to match fighters in
bouts that will attract the most public interest, and thus make for
competitive fights. The I.B.O. also gives more latitude to its
champions to determine their next opponent. We exercise veto authority
over a fight only when it appears to be a mismatch, as determined by
our computer rankings. This is in stark contrast to some sanctioning
bodies, which often insist on playing matchmaker and decision-maker
over a champion's future. This obviously has resulted in much
controversy within the sport when a champion is forced to fight a
"political mandatory," meaning a fight arranged for something far less
than the best of reasons, or as former I.B.O. champion Lennox Lewis
called it, "politricks". From its inception, the I.B.O.'s mandate has
been to bring more honesty, ethics and credibility to boxing, and some
common sense, too. It has been quite an undertaking to establish
objective, comprehensive computerized rankings, but it clearly has
been worth it, and will continue to set the I.B.O. apart from other
sanctioning bodies.
In coming months, I.B.O. Championships will be on the line in the
U.S.A., Germany, England, Australia, and South Africa.
Some say the I.B.O. is too new a sanctioning body to have major
recognition in boxing, but we say what does age have to do with
finding a better way and doing business with credibility and
integrity? We believe that boxing can change from within. Boxing is a
business. Poorly run sanctioning bodies should pay the consequences,
and for too long in boxing, they have not had to do so. Boxing needs
change, positive change. Certainly, we do not need more sanctioning
bodies; rather, we need a healthy one to supplant some of the sick
ones clogging up the sport. We at the I.B.O. will let our independent
premier champions and promoters with foresight, as well as, our
computerized rankings, uniform rules, and contribution towards the
betterment of the sport over the coming years speak for itself.
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