IBA announces $8M prize pool for 2025 Dubai tournament

The International Boxing Association (IBA) is excited to reveal that the 2025 IBA Men’s Elite World Championships will take place from December 2 to 13 at Dubai’s iconic National Tennis Stadium. This premier event will headline an electrifying two-week Festival of Boxing, bringing together the globe’s top talent for a historic showdown.

With a groundbreaking $8 million prize pool, the Championships promise to be the richest competition in boxing history. Each weight category winner stands to earn a staggering $300,000, underscoring IBA President Umar Kremlev’s commitment to rewarding excellence and investing in grassroots development worldwide.

The prize distribution is structured to honour the full team behind every champion:

• 1st Place: $300,000

• 2nd Place: $150,000

• 3rd Place: $75,000

• 5th Place: $10,000

Payouts will be shared with 50% going to the boxer, 25% to their coaches, and 25% to their National Federation—recognizing the collective effort behind every success.

“This World Championships isn’t just about setting records or prize money,” said President Kremlev. “It’s about giving every boxer, coach, and federation the respect and reward they deserve.”

Dubai will become the global boxing capital this December, hosting athletes competing under their own flags for a chance to change their lives. The IBA is dedicated to protecting boxers, fostering opportunities, and ensuring the sport remains a beacon of unity and fairness.

Celebrating over 75 years of boxing heritage, the IBA continues to lead the sport at the elite level, nurturing talent from grassroots to global stardom. The 2025 Championships will elevate boxing through a world-class sporting spectacle combined with cultural celebration and unmatched showmanship.

Chris Roberts OBE, IBA Secretary General and CEO, emphasized the event’s significance: “This championship is more than just competition; it’s a celebration of boxing in all its forms. Alongside the IBA Global Boxing Forum, a top-tier IBA Pro Event, and the IBA Congress, it represents the full spectrum of our sport.”

The Festival of Boxing will transform Dubai into the sport’s epicentre, welcoming fighters from all nations and blending elite contests with vibrant fan experiences. This event embodies the IBA’s vision of boxing as a unifying force, free from borders or politics.

Fans, media, and boxing enthusiasts worldwide are invited to join this historic event as the best fighters in the world compete for glory.

Registration details for the 2025 IBA Men’s Elite World Championships will be announced soon.