International Boxing Day celebrates sport's history and growth

August 27 marks International Boxing Day, an annual celebration observed by the global boxing community. The initiative was first launched in Russia in 2017 by the Russian Boxing Federation and received international recognition from the International Boxing Association (IBA) two years later.

In 2021, the date was changed to August 27 to honor the historical connection to the first Men’s World Boxing Championships, which took place in Havana, Cuba, in August 1974. This inaugural tournament is considered a landmark event that provided a global stage for boxers outside of the Olympic Games.

IBA President Umar Kremlev highlighted the organization's efforts to expand the sport's ecosystem, including the development of IBA PRO, IBA Bare Knuckle, and various community projects such as Boxing Progress Centres and the IBA JANAMEN program, which assists individuals with critical excess weight through sport.