Two of the nation’s top pugilists, John Didier and Kyle Marcel, will represent Saint Lucia at the 2025 edition of the International Boxing Association (IBA) Men’s World Boxing Championships, December 2-13 in Dubai, a principal city in the United Arab Emirates. They will each compete for a share of the USD$8.32 million total prize pool. Winners will take home $300 000, with fifth-place finishers getting $10 000.
That announcement was made on Wednesday by the Saint Lucia Boxing Association (SLBA), whose press release declared: “This marks a significant achievement for Saint Lucia, positioning the nation on one of the most prestigious stages in world boxing.”
The world championships will be hosted at the Dubai Tennis Stadium. Billed by the beleaguered world governing body as “the largest, most prestigious combat sport event of the year,” the tournament will be the centrepiece of the inaugural IBA ‘Festival of Boxing’ — a 12-day celebration of the sport.
According to the SLBA, this opportunity was made possible through “Saint Lucia’s longstanding loyalty to the IBA, and the island’s active role in advancing boxing across the Caribbean and within the Americas Boxing Confederation (AMBC).” The IBA, led by Russia’s Russian Kremlev, was stripped of recognition by the International Olympic Committee in 2023, citing corruption and lack of financial transparency.
Saint Lucia, however, has remained a stalwart member of the IBA, whilst countries like Barbados and Grenada have switched to the rival World Boxing, ensuring an Olympic pathway for their athletes.
“Saint Lucia’s continued partnership with the IBA and our dedication to the growth of boxing in the region have opened doors for our athletes,” said the SLBA. “The inclusion of John Didier and Kyle Marcel at the 2025 World Championships is a testament to what consistent support, strategic development, and international collaboration can achieve.”
Didier and Marcel competed at the inaugural Open International Boxing Tournament in Guadeloupe in October. Dider copped gold, and Marcel silver.
The championships are expected to attract the world’s top elite boxers and global audiences, offering Didier and Marcel an unparalleled platform to showcase their talent and represent Saint Lucia with pride. (PR)
Why is the St Lucia Boxing Association still aligning themselves with the IBA (an organisation banned from the Olympic movement by the International Olympic Committee – IOC)?