USA Boxing endorses Anas Al Otaiba to be the next AIBA president

The Asian and UAE boxing chief is a candidate in the election due to take place on Saturday

Anas Al Otabia Al Otaiba, 44, is president of both the Asian Boxing Federation and UAE Boxing Federation, and is an executive committee member of AIBA. WAM

USA Boxing have announced their endorsement for Anas Al Otaiba to be the next International Boxing Association (AIBA) president.

The Asian and UAE boxing chief is a candidate in the election due to take place at AIBA’s virtual Congress on Saturday.

Amateur boxing's global governing body has been without a permanent president since Uzbekistan's Gafur Rakhimov stood down in March 2019.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) stripped AIBA of its right to organise boxing tournaments at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games following controversy surrounding Rakhimov and allegations of financial mismanagement at the organisation.

"After careful review ... we believe Mr Otaiba is most qualified candidate for this position," said USA Boxing Executive Director Mike McAtee.

"He possesses the skills necessary to lead the international boxing world while addressing the challenges raised in the Lalovic Report that led to the suspension of AIBA."

Al Otaiba is president of both the Asian Boxing Federation and UAE Boxing Federation, and is an executive committee member of AIBA.