Russia-run boxing body calls on US fighters to defy boycott

LAUSANNE, Switzerland (AP) — The president of the International Boxing Association has offered financial support to boxers who defy a U.S.-initiated boycott of the upcoming world championships. IBA’s Russian president Umar Kremlev says the American and Irish officials responsible for the boycott are “worse than hyenas and jackals.” IBA says it “will pursue strong sanctions” against officials who initiate and join any boycott. USA Boxing and the Irish Boxing Association said this week they aren’t sending teams to the women’s or men’s worlds. They cited longstanding governance issues at the IBA and the decision to allow Russia and its ally Belarus to compete with flags and anthems during the invasion of Ukraine.