International Boxing Organization
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The International Boxing Organization (IBO) is a for-profit organization that sanctions professional boxing matches and awards world and subordinate championships.
Origins
The IBO was founded in 1993 as a Florida corporation by Ed Levine, who continues to serve as the organization's President.
"Stepping Stone" to Credibility
Since its formation, the IBO's world championship is considered to be a "stepping stone" title - one which up and coming boxers win on their way to gaining the opportunity to fight for a more prestigious organization's championship title. Although the organization received some acclaim by implementing a computerized system in the late 1990s that removed subjective elements from the ratings, it is still not considered a major sanctioning body. The IBO has increased its visibility by awarding its championships to champions of more established organizations.[citation needed]
Past and Current IBO Champions
Past or current IBO champions include:
- Lennox Lewis, former Heavyweight champion
- Brian Nielsen, former Heavyweight champion
- Wladimir Klitschko, current IBF,WBO and IBO Heavyweight titleholder
- Roy Jones, Jr., former Light-Heavyweight champion
- Floyd Mayweather, former Welterweight champion
- Ricky Hatton, current IBO Light Welterweight champion
- Antonio Tarver, current IBO Light-Heavyweight champion
Current IBO world title holders
See also
Other world organizations
- International Boxing Association
- International Boxing Council
- International Boxing Federation
- International Boxing Organization
- International Boxing Union
- World Boxing Association
- World Boxing Council
- World Professional Boxing Federation
- World Boxing Federation
- World Boxing Organization
- World Boxing Union
- European Boxing Federation