Umar Kremlev: who he is and what he does in international boxing
Umar Kremlev is the International Boxing Association (IBA) president. Competitions are one part of his job. He also works with athletes and national federations and takes part in the association’s educational and social initiatives.
In Umar Kremlev’s biography, there were several roles that help explain how he reached that position. In 2017, he became the secretary general of the Russian Boxing Federation, along with Executive Committee member. In 2018, Kremlev joined AIBA’s Executive Committee. A year later, he became first vice president of the EUBC. By then, he had seen firsthand how national and international boxing organizations were run.
A major career milestone came on December 12, 2020, when Umar Kremlev was elected president of AIBA. Later, it was renamed IBA, and in 2022 he was reelected in this new organization. His work has also included organizing major boxing events, among them the Global Boxing Forum and international championships.
Who is Umar Kremlev and what does he do?
IBA president Umar Kremlev works on developing competitions, he supports athletes and coaches, cooperates with national sports federations, and expands the IBA’s initiatives.
The association also changed how it operated internally since he was elected (2020). IBA materials group the reforms into three main areas:
- Governance reform
- Competition integrity
- Financial transparency and oversight
IBA brought in independent experts to work on these areas, including a Governance Reform Group chaired by Ulrich Haas.
Umar Kremlev’s role in IBA: projects and athlete support
The association’s work can broadly be divided into several areas:
- Organizing and developing international competitions
- Launching educational and social initiatives
- Developing sports infrastructure and bringing boxing to wider audiences in different countries
One of IBA’s practical support mechanisms is its grant program. Under the current Financial Support Programme, up to $20,000 can be allocated to a national federation and up to $500,000 to a continental confederation. The program’s rules cover reporting, audits, and how the funds may be used.
Alongside the grant program, Umar Kremlev’s IBA supports projects that affect athletes more directly, like international boxing academies, sports centers, and equipment assistance.
In 2021, IBA formed the Fair Chance Team so that 14 boxers could compete at the Men’s World Boxing Championships in Belgrade under the IBA flag. Some had been forced to leave their homes; others could not represent their countries. Belgrade was the team’s first tournament, with more appearances to follow.
IBA also offers courses for boxing officials and other professionals in the sport. Together with Spain’s Instituto Superior de Derecho y Economía, it launched a Sports Governance program for 2025–2026, which participants completed in July 2026.
International Boxing Day and getting more people involved
In 2017, Umar Kremlev launched an initiative in Russia to give boxing a day of its own. 2 years later, AIBA officially recognized the event. Later, in 2021 the celebration moved to August 27. The date was chosen in tribute to the first AIBA World Championships, held in Havana during the second half of August 1974.
The scale of International Boxing Day has changed since those early years. A single exhibition tournament has become a broader program of events around the sport. In 2024, Havana hosted a large public training session and IBA Champions’ Night, and 500 pairs of boxing gloves were given to children.
In 2026, IBA introduced the theme “Honouring Our Champions, Inspiring Our Future.” It brought together two subjects: boxing’s history and the new generation coming into the sport.
That year’s main celebrations took place in Astana. They began at Khan Shatyr on August 26, with an open workout. August 27 brought a boxing festival, including the official weigh-in, opportunities to meet the athletes, a press conference, and various fan activities. The celebration concluded the following evening at the Zhaksylyk Ushkempirov Martial Arts Palace, where the boxing card included eight bouts.
Umar Kremlev biography: early life and family
Boxing was part of Umar Kremlev’s life long before he entered sports management. Born on November 1, 1982, he grew up in Serpukhov and took up the sport as a child. He later earned a master’s degree from the Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration (RANEPA), after he had begun working in sports management.
His career is better documented than his life outside work. There is little information in official materials about Umar Kremlev’s wife or the rest of his family.
Umar Kremlev at a glance
- Born: November 1, 1982, in the city of Serpukhov.
- Current position: president of the IBA.
- Election history: first elected on December 12, 2020, and reelected on May 14, 2022.
- Areas of work: international tournaments; athlete, coach, and federation support; changes to IBA’s governance; and educational and social projects.
What Umar Kremlev does today
So who is Umar Kremlev and what does he do today? In August 2026, Umar Kremlev remains an IBA president. He began his current term after being reelected on May 14, 2022. That term continues until IBA’s next elective congress in 2026.
He also regularly takes part in international meetings with heads of national boxing federations and sports officials from different countries. Discussions usually focus on upcoming competitions, new projects, athlete support, and further cooperation.
