It is no secret that boxing’s influx of world titles has acted as a deterrent for new fans, a barrier of confusion that prevents potential consumers from learning about and becoming obsessed with the sport, as opposed to the comparatively straightforward UFC model, which can be digested without mental strain.
So, why would any fight fan be interested in the rise of yet another sanctioning body that brings about a ‘five-belt era’ and adds an extra hurdle to becoming a solitary, undisputed champion? Funnily enough, IBO President Ed Levine agrees.
In the 1960’s, world championships were split by the WBC and the WBA, with the IBF later being recognised in 1984 and birthing the ‘three-belt era’, whilst the WBO received recognition in 2004 to begin the modern ‘four-belt era’.
However, since being founded by Levine in 1988, the IBO have been operating in the background of what are now deemed to be the ‘major’ bodies, perfecting algorithms for their objective, computer-determined rankings that are being implemented to assure that both sporting integrity and fairness is consistently adhered to.
Still, during that time, the likes of Floyd Mayweather, Lennox Lewis, Manny Pacquiao and other modern day legends have all claimed the IBO world title, but whilst Levine is ready to push on and make the next step toward global recognition and appreciation, he told Boxing News that a ‘five-belt era’ is not the goal.
Rather, Levine vows on further developing a major but alternative playing field, where skilled boxers from different backgrounds are each given equal opportunity; in which title shots cannot be impacted by boxing politics or superstardom and those who hail from nations of lesser boxing interest or promotion are able to climb the ladder and work their way towards the title.
“The IBO World Championship has been held by some of the most renowned names of the sport. If these legends were honoured to wear the IBO belt any fighter who respects the game should be happy to be crowned as the IBO World Champion.”
“The four-belt era started with 68 world champions. Now, 25 years later, there are more than double that amount of world titles without even including IBO world titles or Zuffa or Ring titles. It’s just a run-away train by some.
“Instead, our goal is not to work towards a ‘five/six/seven-belt era’ but to be an independent and respected major world title as an alternative for some who won’t or can’t play the game dictated by some of the power players.
“We want to be a sanctioning body that is honest and transparent, that sticks to its rules without exception, relies on computer rankings and doesn’t allow politics to dictate its rankings or champions.”
Recognising only one world champion, the IBO encourages combatants to first target its regional honours, such as the Inter-Continental title, and earn a world title shot by retaining the belt for 18 months and making three defences during that time.
Any challenger for an IBO world title must; be ranked in the top 35, have not suffered a defeat in more than one of their four most recent outings, boast a positive record in their last six bouts and have won at least one contest consisting of 10 or more rounds.
Although, as seen by other sanctioning bodies during 2026, the IBO are aligned with the idea that one of their champions signing with Dana White’s Zuffa Boxing would likely bring about the end of their reign, given the fact that an in-house Zuffa contest would not be sanctioned as an IBO title fight.
“Any fight organised by Zuffa would be deemed a non-title fight in our eyes and a champion would be unlikely to receive an exception to participate in that fight and retain their IBO belt”.
Fans saw an IBO world title on the line over the weekend, as Mark Chamberlain stopped Pierce O’Leary to win the IBO super-lightweight title in Dublin.
