The Boxing Federation of Kenya (BFK) has confirmed it would send a full squad of boxers to next month’s International Boxing Association (IBA) President’s Cup 2026 as registration for the competition officially opened this week.
National Federations and eligible individual boxers have been invited to take part in the major year-end event in Istanbul with BFK Secretary General David Munuhe confirming to Pura Vida Sports Africa that he was in the process of registering the “Hit Squad.”
The IBA President’s Cup will bring together elite amateur and professional boxers and will run from November 25 to December with competition taking place from November 27 to December 4. The finals are scheduled for 4 December.
National Federations have received their official invitations and all necessary registration information and can now register their teams for the competition through the Sportdata platform, with a maximum of one boxer per weight category. The deadline for National Federation entries is October 26 and the President’s Cup will feature 12 Elite Men’s weight categories: 48–50kg, 52kg, 55kg, 60kg, 65kg, 70kg, 75kg, 80kg, 85kg, 90kg, 100kg and +100kg.
The event will also mark the opening stage of the new IBA Elite competition pathway, giving boxers the opportunity to compete at the highest international level, earn IBA World Ranking Points and compete for significant Prize Money.
The President's Cup will carry a prize fund of $3 million with winners receiving $100,000, silver medallists $50,000 and bronze medallists $25,000, while every victory from the opening round onwards will earn the boxer $1,000 with a women's edition planned for next year.
“We are in the process of registering and we intend to field a full team of 12 boxers,” Munuhe said, adding that they will also consider performances at the Africa Championships that Kenya will host from next week under the World Boxing calendar.
IBA President Umar Kremlev says they are in talks with rival World Boxing with a view to harmonizing their calendars of events. (Photo / IBA)
Harmonised Calendar of Events
Munuhe noted that the clash between World Boxing and IBA calendars meant that Kenya will miss out on the IBA’s African Championships for elite men and women that will be held at the Stade Des Martyrs Gym in Kinshasa from October 18 to 31.
“A harmonised calendar of events between IBA and World Boxing will help us a great deal so that competitions don’t clash,” Munuhe said.
At the pre-competition IBA Press Conference on Tuesday this week, IBA President Umar Kremlev and Secretary General-cum-CEO Chris Roberts said they were in talks with the rival World Boxing with a view to harmonizing their calendars.
Kremlev extended an olive branch World Boxing body and its President, Gennady Golovkin, emphasizing that the association is entirely open to co-operation.
IBA said it plans to co-ordinate its competitive calendar with World Boxing so athletes are free to participate in any event they choose, while guaranteeing that Olympic champions and medalists automatically qualify for the high-paying World Championships.
International Boxing Association CEO Chris Roberts presents Russia’s super heavyweight David Surov with his championship belt after he defeated Aman Makhanov of Uzbekistan 5-0 at the 2025 IBA World Championships in Dubai. Istanbul will host the 2026 President's Cup next month. (Photo / IBA)
Individual Participation Requests Opens
In addition to National Federation entries submitted through the Sportdata platform, IBA is providing an opportunity for eligible boxers who are not registered as part of an official National Federation Team Delegation to apply individually for participation in the President’s Cup 2026.
Individual applicants must have a minimum of 20+ verified bouts, which may include amateur bouts, professional bouts or a combination of both. Applications will be assessed by IBA in accordance with the established eligibility and sporting criteria, and submission of an application does not guarantee acceptance into the competition.
The deadline for Individual Participation Requests is 23 October 2026, with final decisions to be communicated by 27 October 2026. Boxers wishing to apply can download the Individual Participation Request Form below and submit the completed form together with the required supporting documentation to: presidentscup2026@iba.sport.
With National Federation registrations and Individual Participation Requests now open, the countdown to the IBA President’s Cup 2026 is officially underway as Istanbul prepares to welcome the international boxing community for the first chapter of the new IBA Elite pathway.
Robert Okaka battles Tunisia's Youssef Rafrafi to enter quarters of the IBA Men's World Boxing Championships at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium in 2025. Kenya will send a full squad of boxers to the 2026 President's Cup in Istanbul, Turkey, next month. (Photo / IBA)
