About the IFBA
About the IFBA
Women's boxing as a legitimate and competitive sport dates back to the year 1722 when British fighter, Elizabeth Wilkinson, entered the ring. The momentum built in 1995 and 1996 and exploded in the world of pugilism in 1997.
The IFBA was formed in February of 1997 with its main endeavor to promote distaff species boxing throughout the world as a genuine, professional and athletic competition. It is ascending to the foregoing of boxing by leaps and bounds boasting skyrocketing television ratings. IFBA Championship fights have been presented on Pay-Per-View, ESPN2, USSB, USA Tuesday Night Fights, Fox Sports Northwest.
The sport of female boxing is centuries old. In the beginning, boxing aficionados raised their eyebrows and questioned the legitimacy of females in fistic competition. Even our most weathered, die-hard male counterparts are respectfully tipping their hats to women who have laced on the leather and joined them in the ring.
One of the primary goals of the IFBA is to develop female boxing into a sport which will persuade Olympic Committees that women's boxing is worthy of being included in future world games as well as garnering support for the future induction of women in the Boxing Hall of Fame.
The IFBA has adopted the Rules of the Association of Boxing Commissions:
- All championship bouts will be for 10 rounds.
- All bouts will be 2 minutes in duration with a 1 minute rest period between rounds.
- There is a 10-point must system.
- There is a mandatory 8 count after knockdowns.
- There is no standing 8 count.
- There is no 3 knockdown rule.
- A boxer who has been knocked down cannot be saved by the bell in any round.
- The referee is the sole arbiter and the only one authorized to stop a contest.
The IFBA recognizes the following weight divisions:
| DIVISION | RANGE |
|---|---|
| Jr. Strawweight | 96 and below |
| Strawweight | Up to 102 |
| Jr. Flyweight | Up to 108 |
| Flyweight | Up to 112 |
| Jr. Bantamweight | Up to 115 |
| Bantamweight | Up to 118 |
| Jr. Featherweight | Up to 120 |
| Featherweight | Up to 126 |
| Jr. Lightweight | Up to 130 |
| Lightweight | Up to 135 |
| Jr. Welterweight | Up to 140 |
| Welterweight | Up to 147 |
| Jr. Middleweight | Up to 154 |
| Middleweight | Up to 160 |
| Super Middleweight | Up to 168 |
| Light Heavyweight | Up to 175 |
| Cruiserweight | Up to 190 |
| Heavyweight | Over 190 |
The IFBA issues international rankings every other month.
Promoters will be advised of the progress and up-to-date records of professional female boxers. Current ratings and news updates are featured on the IFBA web site, www.ifba.com.
The IFBA will adhere to the Rules and Regulations of the State Athletic Commission at each venue with regard to medical and neurological examinations for all female contestants slated for competition. In some circumstances, the IFBA may require additional medical data more particularly set forth in our By-Laws, Rules & Regulations.
Escalating the effort to improve conditions, safety and well-being of female boxers, the IFBA has joined with TKO (Technical Knockout, Inc.), a leading provider of boxing equipment, to furnish their women warriors with progressive boxing equipment developed specifically for women including training bags, gloves and chest protectors.
We at the IFBA strive to keep current on all issues as they pertain to female boxing, and always tantamount on our agenda is to provide a sanctuary for our "crown jewels", the women of boxing.
