"Throughout April we will see the global story of boxing unfold with a packed sporting calendar unrivalled by any other International Federation on the world stage. The first Champions' Night of the month takes place in Mexico and features an exciting fight card full of action-packed boxers eager to prove themselves in the IBA's flagship event. The total USD prize pool for this event is in the high six-figure range, giving both our current amateurs and former IBA pros the chance to win some serious cash," he said.

"From Mexico we move on to Durban, South Africa, for the inaugural Mandela African Continental Cup on 15-21 April, a much anticipated tournament in close cooperation with the AFBC. The event will see around 370 boxers descend on Durban to once again compete for a continental berth, which will qualify them for the IBA Global Boxing Cup at the end of the year," Chris Roberts stressed.

A total of $500 000 (€460,000) in prize money is up for grabs at this inaugural event named after Nelson Mandela. The IBA is also delighted to announce a partnership with the fabulous Thembekile Mandela Foundation. The celebration is particularly significant as the inaugural Mandela African Boxing Cup coincides with South Africa's commemoration of 30 years of freedom and democracy since the historic elections of 27 April 1994.

"From Durban to Tashkent, from Tashkent to Ufa, from Ufa to Almaty, the IBA's reach continues with three more Champions' Nights. The Uzbek Boxing Federation remains one of our outstanding organisations, as evidenced by its most illustrious World Championships to date; the standard of which will undoubtedly be matched at this Champions' Night event in Tashkent. Indeed, we are looking at an outstanding fight card featuring superstars such as Hasanboy Dusmatov and Bakhodir Jalolov," he remarked. 

The serious business continues with another high-profile event in Ufa, Russia, with both the Tashkent and Ufa Champions Nights offering substantial prize money. The excitement then moves to another boxing powerhouse, Kazakhstan, as Astana hosts the next edition of the IBA Champions Night with an impressive line-up. May will offer a Champions' Night showcase event to be held in Madrid for the first time. 

"World and Olympic medallists will be competing to get closer to the IBA World Title belt, a fantastic product and one that will add another added layer of ranking points for boxers. Madrid is the right place for our event, with a long history of amateur and professional boxing. We welcome the opportunity to work with a fantastic national federation there," Roberts continued.

"The IBA brand speaks for itself, offering all boxers the opportunity to compete every month, 12 months a year. The fast and action-packed train continues on the right track, full of sporting excitement, preparing our boxers for the stage that dreams are made of. We have seen the past, we understand the present and the possibilities of IBA, we see the future, and the golden product that awaits," he insisted. 

"Unmatched by any other, our boxers will receive the ticket never before seen or experienced in this sport at the amateur level, in preparation for professionalism with the well deserved riches for those who have the ability and drive to become a champions," the IBA Secretary General & CEO concluded. 

The IBA is the world governing body of boxing, founded in 1946. As the custodian of boxing, its strategy is underpinned by an athlete-first approach, with a clear mission to promote, support, develop and unite the prestigious and historic sport worldwide.