Boxing and controversy have never been far apart — and that’s putting it mildly. For every great night in the ring, there’s another story about bad judging, shady deals, or politics getting in the way of fairness. So when the International Boxing Association (IBA) announced Manny Pacquiao as its new Vice President, the reaction from fans and insiders was mixed: hope on one hand, suspicion on the other.
Pacquiao is one of the most respected names in boxing — an eight-division world champion turned politician who’s seen it all. But the question remains: can Pacquiao IBA reform actually happen, or is this just a rebranding exercise to clean up a tarnished image?
A Fighter with Political Punch
Pacquiao’s appointment sounds powerful. Not only does he bring star power, but he also carries real political experience from his years as a Senator and presidential candidate in the Philippines. Few people understand both sides of the sport — the athlete’s struggle and the political machinery that governs it — like he does.
The IBA, previously known as AIBA, oversees amateur and Olympic boxing. For years, it has been dogged by corruption allegations, questionable refereeing, and governance failures so severe that the International Olympic Committee (IOC) suspended its recognition entirely.
That’s why the organisation rebranded to the International Boxing Association (IBA) — a new name meant to signal reform. But for many, it’s the same story in a different suit.
(You can read our full breakdown of how poor governance has infected every level of boxing, from amateur to professional, here.)
Rebranding or Real Reform?
Let’s be honest — this isn’t the first time the IBA has promised change. The last few years have seen a string of “reform” announcements, most of which faded without real transparency. The IOC accused the organisation of financial mismanagement, biased officiating, and even election manipulation.
Those scandals led to the IOC stripping the IBA of control over Olympic boxing in 2019, a move that still stands today. A new independent body now oversees qualification and competition for the Paris 2024 Olympics — a public embarrassment for the IBA.
So what does bringing Pacquiao in really mean? It could be an attempt to restore legitimacy, using his global credibility to smooth things over with the IOC and national federations. Or it could be a PR stunt — the boxing equivalent of painting over the cracks.
If Pacquiao is genuinely empowered, he could be the one person capable of forcing the IBA to confront its failures head-on. But if he’s just there for optics, this will go down as another missed opportunity in boxing’s long history of self-inflicted wounds.
Why Pacquiao Could Be the Right Man for the Job
Despite the scepticism, there’s a case to be made that Pacquiao might actually succeed where others haven’t. His political career — flawed as it may be — shows he’s willing to take on tough systems. He’s navigated corruption in government, pushed for sports funding, and built grassroots boxing programmes in the Philippines.
Pacquiao isn’t a puppet. He’s not afraid to speak his mind, and he has a genuine passion for fairness. More importantly, he’s lived through the kind of inequality the IBA is supposed to eliminate — the poor judging, the backroom politics, the way developing nations are often sidelined.
If his appointment leads to better transparency, cleaner judging, and restored Olympic credibility, this could be a turning point. But if he’s sidelined by bureaucrats and power brokers, we’ll know soon enough.
The Bigger Picture: Boxing’s Ongoing Identity Crisis
The mess inside the IBA mirrors the broader state of boxing as a whole. Professional boxing is divided among sanctioning bodies that rarely agree, each with its own champions and fees. Amateur boxing has its own civil war.
The sport’s credibility has been chipped away piece by piece. Between suspicious scorecards, failed drug test controversies, and financial manipulation, boxing has lost a lot of public trust.
That’s why Pacquiao IBA reform matters. It’s not just about fixing one body — it’s about restoring the integrity of the entire sport. If the IBA can genuinely clean up its act, maybe it sets a precedent that others follow.
But that’s a big “if.”
Final Bell: Hope or Hype?
Pacquiao’s new title gives the IBA something it’s been desperate for — visibility and legitimacy. Yet the success of this move depends entirely on how much power he’s actually given.
If this is a symbolic appointment, it will fail like every reform attempt before it. But if Pacquiao is truly allowed to lead, backed by transparency and accountability, then maybe — just maybe — we’ll see real change.
Because if boxing can’t fix itself from within, even the greatest champions won’t be able to save it.
Join the Conversation
What do you think — is Pacquiao the man to finally bring accountability to the IBA, or just another figurehead in a sport addicted to chaos?
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