Saint Lucia Represented At Global Boxing Forum

The 5th edition of the Global Boxing Forum takes place this weekend at the Jumeirah Beach Hotel in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and Saint Lucia’s David ‘Shakes’ Christopher is among scores of boxing leaders from around the world, who are set to discuss the sport’s development, achievements, and future strategies. 

Christopher, head of the Saint Lucia Boxing Association, travelled earlier this week for the prestigious two-day event, which will also include Champions’ Night at the Address Dubai Mall Hotel, a series of bouts featuring Olympic champions.

Under the aegis of the embattled International Boxing Association (IBA), this year’s forum promises to be a pivotal event, as the IBA celebrates its achievements over the past year and unveils its strategic plans for 2025 and beyond. 

The GBF 2024 will highlight IBA’s role as a leading organisation for the success of boxers worldwide. This forum, which will be followed by the IBA Ordinary Congress, is particularly important due to the uncertainty surrounding boxing’s future.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) does not recognise IBA, and has insisted that national federations must instead affiliate with World Boxing. Saint Lucia is one of several Caribbean territories that has stuck with IBA, despite the IOC stance.

Among the stand-out fighters selected for the Champions’ Night is experienced Cuban Arlen López, who will be looking to successfully defend his IBA Pro World title in the 80kg category when he takes on Russian Sharabutdin Ataev in the main event.