Dubai: The organisers of the 2025 IBA Women’s World Boxing Championships in Nis, Serbia are expecting a full and exciting field for the prestigious event, next month.

Following a successful hosting of the IBA Men’s World Boxing Championships in 2021 in Belgrade, it is now time for the lovely city of Nis to host the women’s edition that will witness top female boxers from around the globe as they spar to be among the best in the 12 weight categories.

The organisers of the 2025 IBA Women’s World Boxing Championships, scheduled to be held from March 8-17, have decided to keep the registration period open till February 20. So far, more than 40 nations have confirmed their entries, and organisers are expecting more than 500 women boxers from around the world for the ten-day competition.

Details of the championships were announced at a special press conference held in the Nis City Hall late on Tuesday in the presence of IBA Secretary General and CEO Chris Roberts OBE, Serbian Boxing Federation President Nenad Borovcanin, State Secretary of the Ministry of Sport of Serbia, Ognjen Cvjeticanin, Mayor of Nis, Dragoslav Pavlovic and 2022 IBA World Champion from Ireland, Amy Broadhurst.

Chris Roberts OBE set the ball rolling and thanked the organisers and reaffirmed how important the IBA Women’s World Boxing Championships is to the development of women’s boxing around the world.

“The IBA is the home of boxing and we will be bringing our women boxers to this beautiful venue in Nis to perform at the highest level,” Roberts promised.

“The World Championships is the number one global competition in the world, and we have been working hard along with the Serbian Boxing Federation to make this event truly memorable. I am confident we will roll out a fantastic championships with opportunity for prize money, and it is important that we create those conditions for our women to compete. The opportunities that we create at the IBA are unprecedented, and I am looking forward to see other ascending stars of women’s boxing being crowned in Serbia,” he added.

Serbian Boxing Federation President Nenad Borovcanin was thrilled to see the role being played by Serbia and Nis in the development of women’s boxing. “We are here today to start a great historical spectacle, and I believe that the people of Nis and Serbia will be proud of this event,” he noted.

State Secretary of the Ministry of Sport of Serbia, Ognjen Cvjeticanin, was happy over the trust put on Serbia in organizing such an event. “Serbia continues with the organization of major sports events, and now the Serbian Boxing Federation has been entrusted with another IBA World Boxing Championships. We are more than ready to welcome the best women boxers from across the globe,” Cvjeticanin stated.

Mayor of Nis Dragoslav Pavlovic banked on the hospitality of the people of Nis to add further glamour to the event. “We can expect as great championships here in Nis next month. The IBA Women’s World Boxing Championships will not only leave a strong impression on our city, but we will be privileged to have some great new world champions right here in our midst,” he said.

Gold medal winners in all weight categories will receive $100,000, while silver medal winners will get $50,000 and bronze medallists will receive $25,000. For the first time in the history of this competition, all four quarter-finalists will walk away with $10,000 each.

After winning a gold medal at the 2022 World Championships, Irish boxer Amy Broadhurst, who is expecting her first child, was happy to share her boxing story. “The IBA World Championships not only hold a special place in my heart, but it’s an amazing opportunity for every talented athlete around the world to come and compete against each other. The IBA has created an amazing opportunity with these championships by awarding prize money. In many ways, the IBA has changed the lives of many boxers, including mine. It was because of the IBA that I was able to purchase my first home, which is now a security for myself, my partner and our son who is expected to arrive in May. If it wasn’t for the opportunities that IBA provides for us athletes, many of us would still be living lives that are difficult to navigate through, while continuing with fulltime training,” Broadhurst pointed out.

The 27-year-old boxer from Dundalk, Ireland displayed her resolute spirit to succeed while competing at four World Championships in different age groups. On all four occasions, she did not even get through to the quarterfinals. But that did not stop her from giving off her best.

“Inside me, I always dreamed of becoming a World Champion. After each setback, I picked myself up and kept going. And then 2022 changed everything. I went to the USA to spar with Katie Taylor, and that gave me the confidence, and I knew from the very first bout that I could make it. When I did it, my life changed forever. Without the IBA, I would not have a roof over my head, and I wouldn’t even be here today,” she smiled.

As per the rules of competition, headguards will be mandatory for all competitors in an attempt to ensure more nations can compete. In addition, a special Headguards Forum will be held during the course of the competition in Nis.

Established in 1946, the International Boxing Association (IBA) is the worldwide governing body of boxing. As the custodian of boxing, the IBA’s strategy is underpinned by an athlete-first approach, with a clear mission to promote, support, develop and unite the prestigious and historic sport worldwide.