The WBA Federation announced the sanctions imposed against Russian boxers in connection with Russia's armed invasion of Ukraine. Russian boxers will not be able to enter the ring with their own flag, their anthem will not be played, and the name of the country will not be officially mentioned.
Russian boxers will not be excluded from the World Boxing Association ranking, but the name of the country will be changed to "World". Championship fights are prohibited in Russia and Belarus. Failure to comply with these rules by representatives of the local federation will be additionally penalized by the WBA. The Federation also reserves the right to exclude boxers who support the war from its rating.
The WBA decision means that Dmitry Bivol, the holder of the light heavyweight championship belt, who is scheduled to fight against Saul Alvarez, will have to fight under a neutral flag. The Russian will also not hear his national anthem and will not be presented as a boxer from Russia.
