How boxing’s ‘Mr Kremlin’ controls the sport

The IBA failed in its bid to upset competition in Paris, but its president, Russian power broker Umar Kremlev, has Olympic insiders worried about the future of the sport.

Ireland’s Kellie Harrington celebrates after winning a match in Paris. Boxing has long been a key sport at the modern Olympics but its future is in doubt. AP

Gus Garcia-Roberts and Les Carpenter

Jan 7, 2025 – 5.00am

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With the future of international boxing hanging in the balance, as it so often is, the 2006 election of its top official featured the usual chaos: bribes, shouting matches and shows of physical intimidation in the lobby of an upscale Dominican hotel.

But the body flying down an elevator shaft was a new twist.

Washington Post