International Boxing Organization

The International Boxing Organization (IBO) is a US based corporation that sanctions professional boxing matches and awards world and regional championships.

It is an independent organization not recognized by the "big four" governing bodies (WBA, WBC, IBF and WBO), who only recognize each other in their rankings and title unification rules. Despite this, as of 2023, the IBO title is unified with three of the four, including the WBA, IBF, and WBO, in several weight divisions.

History
The IBO was founded in 1988 and incorporated in Illinois in 1992 by John W. Daddono. The organization was later moved to Florida in 1997 and incorporated in Florida at that time. Ed Levine, who continues to serve as the organization's President became a partner and President of the IBO at that time.

The organization implemented a computerized system 'The Independent World Boxing Rankings' in the late 1990s that removed subjective elements from the ratings in an effort to bring more credibility to the sport. From 2014 the organization now employs Boxrec, the independent boxing records keeper and computerized rankings website to produce IBO's rankings.

The IBO permits only one world champion per weight division. "We have never had more than one champion per weight division nor will we", according to its president Ed Levine.

In addition to world champions, IBO recognizes regional champions, including the Inter-Continental champion. If an IBO Inter-Continental champion successfully defends his title three times, he may receive a mandatory opportunity for the world title.

Notable past IBO champions

 * Thomas Hearns, Cruiserweight
 * Lennox Lewis, Heavyweight
 * James Toney, Cruiserweight
 * Wladimir Klitschko, Heavyweight
 * Roy Jones Jr., Light Heavyweight
 * Marco Antonio Barrera, Featherweight
 * Naseem Hamed, Featherweight
 * Floyd Mayweather Jr., Welterweight
 * Ricky Hatton, Light Welterweight
 * Manny Pacquiao, Light Welterweight
 * Bernard Hopkins, Light Heavyweight
 * Nonito Donaire, Flyweight
 * Sergio Martínez, Super Welterweight
 * Andy Ruiz Jr., Heavyweight
 * Tyson Fury, Heavyweight
 * Anthony Joshua, Heavyweight

Current IBO world title holders
As of March 16, 2024