The International Boxing Federation (IBF) is one of four major organizations recognized by the International Boxing Hall of Fame (IBHOF) which sanctions professional boxing bouts. The others are the World Boxing Association (WBA), World Boxing Council (WBC) and World Boxing Organization (WBO).
The IBF was preceded by the United States Boxing Association (USBA), a regional championship organization like the North American Boxing Federation (NABF). In 1983, at the WBA's annual convention, held in Puerto Rico, Robert W. "Bobby" Lee Sr., president of the USBA, lost in his bid to become WBA president against Gilberto Mendoza. Lee and others withdrew from the convention after the election, and decided to organize a third, world-level organization, to co-exist with the WBA and the WBC. Formed as USBA-International, the fledgling organization was renamed the International Boxing Federation on November 6, 1983, based in New Jersey, where its main offices remain.[2]
Bobby Lee had also been a New Jersey boxing commissioner until 1985, when, according to news reports, "he was suspended and fined by the Ethical Standards Commission for accepting contributions from fight promoters and casino executives."[3]
The IBF's first world champion was Marvin Camel, a former WBC world cruiserweight champion who won the IBF's belt in the same division. During its first year of existence the IBF remained largely obscure, but by 1984 it decided to recognize Larry Holmes, Aaron Pryor, Marvin Hagler and Donald Curry, already established champions from other organizations, as IBF world champions. In Holmes' case, he relinquished his WBC title to accept the IBF's recognition. It established the IBF as the third sanctioning body, and a legitimate organization.[4]
IBF men's world championship belts are red, whereas women's world championship belts are light blue.[citation needed]
Despite achieving an appearance of legitimacy, subsequent to a three-year investigation started by 1996 charges levied by former heavyweight champion Michael Moorer; IBF's reputation was ruined in 1999 with founder Lee's indictment for racketeering and other violations for taking bribes in exchange for high boxer rankings. Indicted on federal racketeering and racketeering conspiracy charges were "president, Robert W. Lee, 65; his son and IBF liaison, Robert Lee Jr., 38; former IBF executive and Virginia boxing commissioner Donald William Brennan, 86; and South American IBF representative Francisco Fernandez."[5] Lee was subsequently convicted of money-laundering and tax evasion in August 2000, then sentenced, in 2001, to 22 months in prison and fined $25,000.[6]
In 2000, citing extortion, boxing promoter Bob Arum voluntarily testified to having paid IBF president Bobby Lee $100,000 in two installments in 1995, as the first half of a $200,000 bribe, through "middleman, Stanley Hoffman", adding that Lee had first demanded $500,000 to approve the Schulz-Foreman fight, but had settled for the lesser amount of $200,000 (half of which was never paid).[7] Arum was sanctioned and fined $125,000 by the Nevada State Athletic Commission. Boxing promoters Cedric Kushner and Dino Duva also admitted to making similar payments to Lee.[8]
"A culture of corruption has festered in the IBF virtually since its inception... IBF ratings were not earned – they were bought... The crimes have bastardized the ratings in most of the weight classes."
— Adam Miller quoting Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Cleary, "FEDS BID TO KO BOXING BIGS WITH 'BRIBE' RAP", New York Post, November 5, 1999
The IBF was under federal observation from Lee's conviction through September 2004. Former Michigan Boxing Commissioner, WBA vice-president, boxing safety advocate and IBF interim president Hiawatha Knight (October 22, 1929 – October 22, 2014) became president following Lee's conviction, and was the first woman president of any world governing boxing organization. In 2001, Marian Muhammad assumed the presidency, followed by Daryl J. Peoples, who remained president as of 2018.[9]
The IBF ran the "1st Annual Convention of IBF Muaythai" in Bangkok on 20–21 December 2017.[10] Daryl Peoples, IBF president, attended the convention. The new champions of IBF Muay Thai were crowned in three weight divisions.
In response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Federation blocked championship fights involving Russian and Belarusian boxers.[11]
As of 2 September 2025
| Weight class | Champion (15) | Reign began | Days |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mini flyweight (105 lbs) | Pedro Taduran | 28 July 2024 | 401 |
| Junior flyweight (108 lbs) | Thanongsak Simsri | 19 June 2025 | 75 |
| Flyweight (112 lbs) | Masamichi Yabuki | 29 March 2025 | 157 |
| Junior bantamweight (115 lbs) | Willibaldo García | 23 May 2025 | 102 |
| Bantamweight (118 lbs) | Junto Nakatani | 8 June 2025 | 86 |
| Junior featherweight (122 lbs) | Naoya Inoue | 26 December 2023 | 616 |
| Featherweight (126 lbs) | Angelo Leo | 10 August 2024 | 388 |
| Junior lightweight (130 lbs) | Eduardo Núñez | 28 May 2025 | 97 |
| Lightweight (135 lbs) | Raymond Muratalla | 9 June 2025 | 84 |
| Junior welterweight (140 lbs) | Richardson Hitchins | 7 December 2024 | 269 |
| Welterweight (147 lbs) | Vacant | ||
| Junior middleweight (154 lbs) | Bakhram Murtazaliev | 5 April 2024 | 515 |
| Middleweight (160 lbs) | Janibek Alimkhanuly | 14 October 2023 | 689 |
| Super middleweight (168 lbs) | Canelo Alvarez | 3 May 2025 | 122 |
| Light heavyweight (175 lbs) | Dmitry Bivol | 22 February 2025 | 192 |
| Cruiserweight (200 lbs) | Jai Opetaia | 18 May 2024 | 472 |
| Heavyweight (200+ lbs) | Oleksandr Usyk | 19 July 2025 | 45 |
| Weight class | Champion (15) | Reign began | Days |
|---|---|---|---|
| Junior mini flyweight (102 lbs) | Tina Rupprecht | 5 April 2025 | 150 |
| Mini flyweight (105 lbs) | Sol Cudos | 5 April 2025 | 150 |
| Junior flyweight (108 lbs) | Evelyn Nazarena Bermúdez | 29 December 2018 | 2439 |
| Flyweight (112 lbs) | Gabriela Fundora | 21 October 2023 | 682 |
| Junior bantamweight (115 lbs) | Irma Garcia | 11 November 2023 | 661 |
| Bantamweight (118 lbs) | Cherneka Johnson | 11 July 2025 | 53 |
| Junior featherweight (122 lbs) | Ellie Scotney | 10 June 2023 | 815 |
| Featherweight (126 lbs) | Nina Meinke | 21 September 2024 | 346 |
| Junior lightweight (130 lbs) | Alycia Baumgardner | 15 October 2022 | 1053 |
| Lightweight (135 lbs) | Beatriz Ferreira | 27 April 2024 | 493 |
| Junior welterweight (140 lbs) | Katie Taylor | 25 November 2023 | 647 |
| Welterweight (147 lbs) | Natasha Jonas | 1 July 2023 | 794 |
| Junior middleweight (154 lbs) | Oshae Jones | 24 November 2024 | 648 |
| Middleweight (160 lbs) | Desley Robinson | 13 December 2024 | 263 |
| Super middleweight (168 lbs) | Shadasia Green | 11 July 2025 | 53 |
| Light heavyweight (175 lbs) | Lani Daniels | 2 December 2023 | 640 |
| Heavyweight (175+ lbs) | Claressa Shields | 2 February 2025 | 212 |
| Weight class | Champion | Reign began | Days |
|---|---|---|---|
| Junior lightweight (130 lbs) | Petchaouthong Aor. Kwanmaung | 21 December 2017 | 2812 |
| Lightweight (135 lbs) | Seksan Aor. Kwanmuang | 21 December 2017 | 2812 |
| Welterweight (147 lbs) | Pinklao Bangkoknoivillage | 20 December 2017 | 2813 |
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