Golovkin sided with the West. Star boxer pushes Kazakhstan to absurd decision
Sergey Sorokin July 9, 2024, 20:00 Moscow time Audio version: Your browser does not support the audio element.
Leaving the IBA could greatly affect Gennady’s country in the future.
World boxing has been in limbo for a long time. Major organizations are splitting up, there are constant conflicts. And the situation between the IBA and World Boxing is becoming especially serious. Many national federations are literally divided among themselves and cannot make a final decision on their own. But the other day there was some very unexpected news that aroused special interest. Kazakh boxing legend Gennady Golovkin said that he wants the national federation to leave the IBA.
The IOC did not want to see our boys in the main tournament of the fourth anniversary:
There will be no Russian boxers at the Olympics. Abroad, once again, do not care about the efforts of the IBA
It is worth noting that Triple G did not particularly soften the corners. And initially he stated that he would literally insist that the federation make the appropriate decision. But there were no arguments from Golovkin: “For our part, we are trying to convince the federation to join World Boxing, we are trying to insist on this. We are trying to do this and we will continue to push them to make this decision. But the decision will remain with the Kazakhstan Boxing Federation, it is their free choice. Their decision.”
The split in world amateur boxing occurred against the background of the foreign policy situation. In 2023, an alternative organization, World Boxing, was created, the origins of which were the United States and Great Britain. After that, some national federations announced their withdrawal from the IBA. But Kazakhstan, apparently, did not intend to follow the same path. For a long time, athletes continued to perform at major tournaments and received constant support from the organization. And as a result, Golovkin has decided to completely break off interaction with the IBA.
Gennady Golovkin
Photo: Ben McShane/Sportsfile via Getty Images
At the same time, everyone is quite calm about such statements by Golovkin. For example, the head of the Russian national boxing coaches’ council, Eduard Kravtsov, sees no reason to worry. He recalled the main reason why Gennady is trying with all his might to convince the federation of the need to break off relations with the IBA. And this is the desire to please the interests of the International Olympic Committee.
Eduard Kravtsov
Head of the Russian National Boxing Team Coaching Council
“Gennady is going through a stage of life that is typical for many boxers and great athletes. His sporting life is over. And the ordinary, human one has begun. He just hasn’t fully adapted to its realities yet. Apart from boxing, he hasn’t done anything special. Now he is isolated from the realities that exist in the world of boxing. He is the president of the National Olympic Committee of Kazakhstan. He acts under the direction of the IOC. It is no secret to anyone that the IOC blackmails federations and, through its administrative resources, forces them to leave the IBA. But Gennady only pursues his own selfish interests and does not defend the interests of boxers and coaches. A well-fed person will not understand a hungry person. Gennady is well-fed and full in every sense of the word. Unfortunately, he does not understand boxers and coaches who bet on the IBA and who can earn a decent living. They participate in various projects created by the IBA. And these projects provide an opportunity to support families.”
A well-fed person will not understand a hungry person. Gennady is well-fed and full in every sense of the word. Unfortunately, he does not understand boxers and trainers who join the IBA and who can earn a decent living. They participate in various projects created by the IBA. And these projects provide an opportunity to support families. Nobody thinks about this.”
And after that, Kravtsov became very emotional towards Golovkin himself. And he even gave some advice: “I have known Gennady for 20 years. And I want to give some advice to think not about your own interests, but about the interests of boxers and coaches. The same as he did. Think about where he came from. And not about your own selfish interests and the interests of the people involved.”
The IBA reacted harshly to the boycotts and the creation of new organizations:
American methods are being used against them. The Kremlin has once again attacked American boxing
Unfortunately, it is the boxers and their mentors who will always suffer in this confrontation. Officials keep fixing things, and athletes are deprived of huge opportunities. IBA, by the way, really creates large-scale projects that help many talents find themselves. And now many major organizations are restoring Russia’s status. Against this background, Golovkin’s actions look like real sabotage. And I want to believe that the federation itself will prioritize the interests of boxers and coaches.
