Pakistan launches professional boxing board

The announcement was made by board chairman Amir Khan during a press conference at the National Press Club in Islamabad, where he highlighted the lack of boxing academies and modern training facilities across the country.

He said Pakistan had considerable boxing talent, particularly in Karachi’s Lyari area, but young fighters lacked the facilities and financial support needed to develop their careers. Khan urged the government to provide vacant sports complexes and available public land for boxing academies, adding that he was willing to establish additional facilities through private resources.

He said financial constraints and the high costs of international competitions had forced several talented Pakistani boxers to leave the country or represent other nations. The new board aims to provide fighters with overseas competition opportunities, international-standard training and sponsorships.

Boxers will also receive financial compensation regardless of the outcome of their bouts, Khan said. He added that the organisation would seek affiliations with the World Boxing Council (WBC), World Boxing Association (WBA), International Boxing Federation (IBF), World Boxing Organization (WBO) and Commonwealth Boxing to help Pakistani fighters compete for international titles.

Khan said the board had been established through private-sector efforts and would not rely on government funding or public resources. He stressed that medical examinations, fitness tests and other health checks would be mandatory before competitions, while fighters would be matched records to ensure their safety.

Board president Shajjad Khan said the initiative would also focus on training and qualifying referees and judges through national and international-standard courses. Their performance would be regularly assessed, with only qualified officials assigned to competitions to ensure fair and transparent decisions.

General secretary Tahir Khan said the board aimed to raise the international profile of Pakistani boxers and technical officials, adding that it hoped to create opportunities for local referees and judges to officiate at Asian and global competitions.

The board’s legal representative, Sultan Qamar Afzal, said the organisation would work to protect fighters’ rights and ensure compliance with relevant rules and regulations. Officials said the registration portal, Showboxing.com, had been launched, allowing boxers, referees and judges to apply online.

Applications will undergo scrutiny, followed by medical examinations and interviews before successful candidates receive licences. The board also plans to maintain fighters’ competition records and results on recognised international platforms to ensure their authenticity and prevent alterations.