International Boxing Association (professional body)
The International Boxing Association (IBA) is a for-profit organization that sanctions professional boxing matches and awards world and subordinate championships.
Origins
The IBA was founded in the 1990s by Dean Chance, a former Major League Baseball pitcher.
"Stepping Stone"
While successful since its formation, the IBA's World championship is widely considered to be a "stepping stone" title - one which up and coming boxers win on their way to gaining the opportunity to fight for a more prestigious organization's championship title, but has gained some acclaim by its titles being held by many notable boxers.
Notable Title Holders
Some notable Champions are:
- Eric Esch - Former Super Heavyweight Champion, more commonly known as Butterbean
- Oscar De La Hoya - Former Welterweight and Light Middleweight Champion
- Alejandro Martín González - Former Lightweight Champion
- Roy Jones Jr. - Former Light Heavyweight Champion
- James Toney - Former two time Heavyweight Champion and former Super Cruiserweight Champion
- George Foreman - Former Heavyweight Champion
- Mikkel Kessler - Former Super Middleweight Champion
- Glen Johnson - Former Light Heavyweight Champion
- Joel Casamayor - Former Super Featherweight Champion
- Erik Morales - Former Super Featherweight Champion
- Arturo Gatti - Former Welterweight Champion
- Diego Corrales - Former Super Featherweight Champion
- Shane Mosley - Former Welterweight Champion
- Antonio Tarver - Former Light Heavyweight Champion
- José Luis Castillo - Former Super Featherweight Champion
- Orlando Canizales - Former Featherweight Champion
- Fernando Vargas - Former Junior Middleweight Champion
- Robert Daniels - Former Cruiserwight Champion
- Orlando Cruz - Former Featherweight Champion
Men's and Women's Titles
The IBA became a pioneer among sanctioning organizations in the early 2000s when it began recognizing women's champions at the world level.
Current IBA World Title Holders
As of May 7, 2016. Updated June 09, 2014 (Fighters losing 2 straight bouts, losing against another title holder from any sanctioning body and fighters not having defended their belt within 18 months are excluded.)
| Weight class: | Champion: | Reign began: | Days |
|---|---|---|---|
| Light flyweight (108 lbs) | vacant | ||
| Flyweight (112 lbs) | vacant | ||
| Junior bantamweight (115 lbs) |  Bruno Escalante (PHI) |
07 December, 2013 | 1076 |
| Bantamweight (118 lbs) | vacant | ||
| Junior featherweight (122 lbs) | vacant | ||
| Featherweight (126 lbs) | vacant | ||
| Junior lightweight (130 lbs) | vacant | ||
| Lightweight (135 lbs) | vacant | ||
| Junior welterweight (140 lbs) | vacant | ||
| Welterweight (147 lbs) | vacant | ||
| Junior Middleweight (154 lbs) | vacant | ||
| Middleweight (160 lbs) | vacant | ||
| Super middleweight (168 lbs) | vacant | ||
| Light heavyweight (175 lbs) |  Bernard Hopkins (USA) |
19 April 2014 | 943 |
| Cruiserweight (190 lbs) |  Mairis Briedis (LAT) |
22 November 2013 | 1091 |
| Super-cruiserweight (210 lbs) | vacant | ||
| Heavyweight (210+ lbs) | |||