Vargas elected to World Boxing Executive Board
By Joaquin Henson
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 28 Dec 2023
ABAP chairman Ricky Vargas was elected as Executive Board member of World Boxing during the 27-nation federation’s inaugural Congress in Frankfurt recently. Vargas was the second highest vote-getter with 56.1 percent of ballots cast among nine candidates for four Executive Board member positions. He was carried in the tickets of both presidential aspirants Boris van der Vorst of the Netherlands and Elise Siegnolle of USA.
In submitting himself as the lone Asian candidate, Vargas said he stood by the principles of integrity, transparency, fair play and proper governance. He cited his experience as former POC president in leading a fragmented body and laying the groundwork for unity through a fair election. “The short-term goal of World Boxing is to preserve our sport in the Olympics,” he said. “IOC has withdrawn recognition of IBA (International Boxing Association) and it has been contested before CAS (Court of Arbitration for Sport). We expect IOC’s decision to be upheld and when it happens, the process of accrediting World Boxing, which is registered in Lausanne, can start. So far, there are only two Asian countries affiliated with World Boxing, the Philippines and Mongolia.” The long-term goal is widespread global representation.
The polls determined the members of the World Boxing Executive Board, namely van der Vorst as president, Ryan O’Shea of Canada, Matt Holt of UK and Dinah Glykidas of Australia as vice presidents, Michael Muller of Germany, Vargas, Susanne Karrlander of Sweden and Marcos Candido de Brito of Brazil as members, Hernan Salvo of Argentina as Sport and Competition Committee chair, Dr. Armando Sanchez of USA as Medical and Anti-Doping Committee chair and Julie Felton of Australia as Audit and Finance Committee chair.
“It was more fellowship than politics in the Congress,” said Vargas. “There was a clear sense of transparency in the conduct of the elections. I was impressed by World Boxing’s organizational efficiency which was very corporate. There is an accreditation process for new member nations with a lot of requirements in line with good governance guidelines. It’s very different from IBA.” When IBA was formed in 1946, its membership was less than at World Boxing’s inception last April. IBA was recently stripped of IOC recognition because of allegations of corruption, rigged results of competitions, poor governance and lack of financial transparency. IBA is convening its own congress in December in Dubai with Russian Umar Kremlev at the helm. Vargas will return home from Frankfurt today with ABAP secretary-general Marcus Manalo and international boxing technical delegate Karina Picson who is being tapped to join the World Boxing Women’s Commission.
Photo: Newly-voted Executive Board member Ricky Vargas and President-elect Boris van der Vorst join forces at the inaugural World Boxing Congress in Frankfurt.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Joaquin Henson.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Vergil Ortiz vs. Erickson Lubin: Can Lubin Tip the Ortiz/Ennis Apple Cart?
By Chris Carlson, Sat, 08 Nov 2025Gibbons’ ‘Thrilla’ regrets
By Joaquin Henson, Sat, 08 Nov 2025Vergil Ortiz Jr. and Erickson Lubin Set for Explosive Showdown in Fort Worth
Sat, 08 Nov 2025Ring Officials Announced for Michael Hunter Vs Eli Frankham - York Hall, 5th December
Sat, 08 Nov 2025Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimán: The Baseball in the Sulaimán Family
By Mauricio Sulaimán, Sat, 08 Nov 2025Shields signs $8 million multi year contract with Salita Promotions
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Sat, 08 Nov 2025A TIBUTE TO VICTOR CONTE
Sat, 08 Nov 2025Lhuillier Lauds RP Blu Boys’ Triumph in Japan Tilt
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 08 Nov 2025FIDE Rated Chess Tournament Pasig Police Board Patrol Checkpoint Challenge
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 08 Nov 2025MANNY PACQUIAO VS. FLOYD MAYWEATHER JR. ONCE AGAIN
By Maloney L. Samaco, Fri, 07 Nov 2025NBA Reportedly Met with Congress Regarding Gambling Issues
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Fri, 07 Nov 2025IM Dableo and IM Banawa Headline 17th Kamatyas FIDE Rapid Chess Tournament
By Marlon Bernardino, Fri, 07 Nov 2025VERGIL ORTIZ VS ERICKSON LUBIN FINAL PRESSCON QUOTES
Fri, 07 Nov 2025WBC maintains protection of women's boxing with 2-minute rounds
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Fri, 07 Nov 2025Muntinlupa tops Sambo demo
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 07 Nov 2025