Laman Ismayilova

The Azerbaijan Boxing Federation (ABF) has reported that this
year has been highly successful for the country’s national boxing
teams, with both the number and quality of medals won at
international competitions increasing, Azernews
reports.

ABF Vice-President Vusal Nasirli noted that, compared to the
previous year, Azerbaijani athletes competed successfully across
four age categories in international tournaments. He expressed
satisfaction with the performance of the coaching staff and
highlighted their important contribution to these achievements.

The meeting also reviewed steps taken to improve the
Federation’s operations and strengthen its material and technical
base. Among the key developments were the opening of the Southern
Regional Boxing Center in Lankaran and the establishment of new
boxing divisions in Ganja, Gazakh, and Imishli, which were praised
as major contributions to the growth of the sport.

Officials emphasized that these initiatives will continue next
year, with further efforts to popularize boxing nationwide and
expand infrastructure. They outlined the Federation’s main goals
for the coming year, which include increasing the number of medals,
raising the qualifications of coaches and referees, discovering new
talents, expanding the sport’s reach in regional centers, and
representing Azerbaijan with distinction at the Youth Summer
Olympic Games in Senegal.

Advisor to the ABF President Samir Huseynov and Secretary
General Naghi Safarov also shared their views on the year’s
results, praising the dedication of athletes and coaches. The
meeting concluded with discussions on issues raised by boxers and
coaches, and recommendations and instructions were given to ensure
the Federation’s continued success.

The Azerbaijan Boxing Federation (ABF) was established in 1924,
marking the beginning of organized boxing in the country. Just two
years later, in 1926, the first national boxing championship was
held in Azerbaijan, and that same year Azerbaijani athletes took
part in the Transcaucasian Championship, achieving notable success.
In 1929, Azerbaijan hosted its first international boxing match
against Turkey, which helped raise the profile of the sport and
introduced local athletes to international competition.

Following the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, Azerbaijan
became an independent state, and in 1992 the Azerbaijan Boxing
Federation joined the International Boxing Association (AIBA) and
the European Amateur Boxing Association (EABA). This membership
allowed Azerbaijani boxers to compete regularly in European and
World Championships, as well as the Olympic Games, where they began
to achieve significant international success.

Since independence, Azerbaijani boxing has made remarkable
progress. Athletes have won medals at major international
competitions, including the Olympics, World Championships, and
European Championships. The Federation has also invested in
regional development, opening new boxing centers and divisions in
cities such as Lankaran, Ganja, Gazakh, and Imishli, with the aim
of nurturing young talent and expanding the sport’s reach across
the country.

Today, the Azerbaijan Boxing Federation continues to play a
vital role in promoting boxing, strengthening infrastructure, and
ensuring Azerbaijan’s presence on the global stage. Its history
reflects both the Soviet legacy and the achievements of independent
Azerbaijan, with the Federation remaining committed to producing
world-class athletes and expanding the popularity of the sport
nationwide.

Aghasi Mammadov secured his place in Azerbaijan’s boxing history
as the nation’s first world champion, winning a gold medal at the
World Championships. Another notable achievement came when Fuad
Asadov earned a medal at the 2004 Summer Olympic Games, further
strengthening Azerbaijan’s reputation in the sport.

Over the years, Azerbaijan has frequently been selected to host
major international boxing events. Baku staged the AIBA Youth World
Championships in 2009, which served as the first licensed youth
tournament offering qualification for the 2010 Olympic Games in
Singapore.

Two years later, in 2011, the country hosted the AIBA World
Boxing Championships, a landmark competition that acted as the
primary qualifying event for the London 2012 Olympic Games.