Year: 2020

The International Boxing Federation has a new female welterweight champion, as Jessica McCaskill dethroned longtime IBF champion Cecilia Braekhus on August 15, 2020. 

McCaskill, (9-2, 3KO) was the underdog coming into the DAZN televised bout.  The Chicago native out-threw Braekhus in punches, landing 84-499 to Braekhus’s 85-269 in what was scored a majority decision at 97-94, 97-93 and 95-95.  The title fight took place in downtown Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Continue reading “McCASKILL NEW FEMALE IBF 147 CHAMPION WITH WIN OVER BRAEKHUS”

Sadly, we share the news that Eddie Cotton, IBF Board Member and former professional boxing referee, passed away this morning April 17, 2020. According to his wife Ruby, Eddie was hospitalized 2 weeks ago with pneumonia. He was diagnosed with COVID-19 at the hospital.

Eddie’s career as a professional boxing referee started in Atlantic City, NJ in 1992 and it was quite a remarkable one. He refereed over 50 world title fights, some of the most notable bouts being Riddick Bowe vs. Andrew Golota (2), Lennox Lewis vs. Mike Tyson and George Foreman vs. Shannon Briggs. His last professional boxing match as a referee, Felix Sturm vs. Sam Soliman, was on May 31, 2014 in Germany. At that time, Eddie had just been elected as a new member of the IBF Board of Directors. Eddie was also involved with several organizations dedicated to youth boxing such as the American Association for the Improvement of Boxing, YCS Foundation and the Lou Costello Sportsmen Club located in his hometown of Paterson, New Jersey. Not only was he active in the boxing community, but along with his wife Ruby, both were very involved in their local community and their local government.

Eddie Cotton was an asset on the IBF Board of Directors, and to the organization as a whole. He had a lot to offer, and we are heartbroken and deeply saddened by his passing. He was a big guy with a big personality, and always positive. He gave back to his community, and was appreciative of his peers in boxing. He will be missed. Eddie is survived by his wife Ruby and his two children, Candace and Edward III.

In an effort to help our neighbors in need during these unprecedented times, the IBF has chosen to raise awareness and funds for The Community Food Bank of New Jersey. The Food Bank is a primary disaster relief responder in the State of New Jersey, and they are in the midst of a major relief effort to address the COVID-19 crisis. They are experiencing at least a 35 percent increase in need throughout the state as of today — and this number will likely increase, with low-income households being hit the hardest. The staggering economic impact of the pandemic will likely cause a dramatic increase in the need for food in the days, weeks, and months ahead.

Continue reading “IBF DONATES TO COMMUNITY FOOD BANK OF NJ”

As we navigate through these challenging times brought on by the novel coronavirus globally, be assured that the health and well-being of all the members of the boxing community are our priorities. We have been closely monitoring the situation with COVID-19. At this time, we have decided to reschedule our 37^th Annual Convention to May 4 – 8, 2021 at The Westin in Long Beach, California. We know that many made all the necessary arrangements to attend the convention and were looking forward to it, as we were. Unfortunately, with the rapid spread of the pandemic globally we felt the best decision was to reschedule. We hope that our members and friends in the boxing community can join us next year.

Continue reading “IBF CONVENTION RESCHEDULED FOR 2021”

Two International Boxing Federation titles changed hands on January 30, 2020 when Murodjon Akhmadaliev bested super bantamweight champion Daniel Roman and Joseph Diaz dethroned lightweight title holder Tevin Farmer in Miami, Florida on Super Bowl LIV weekend.

Continue reading “AKHMADALIEV AND DIAZ NEW INTERNATIONAL BOXING FEDERATION TITLISTS”