World Boxing Council Updates Logo to Include Saudi Arabia; Russian Flag Removed

JANUARY 28, 2025 — Yesterday, World Boxing Council (WBC) has introduced a redesigned corporate logo. The new logo replaces the Russian flag, a fixture since the WBC’s establishment in 1963, with the green and white flag of Saudi Arabia, Boxing News Online reports.

The organization cited “dynamic changes in the global boxing landscape” and the inclusion of “new nations within the WBC family” as key factors behind the redesign.

WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman said in a statement, “We are excited to unveil our new logo, which captures the essence of boxing’s evolution and our commitment to global unity.”

Saudi Arabia has rapidly emerged as a dominant player in professional boxing, using substantial financial resources to stage high-profile fights that had previously been out of reach for top promoters, World Boxing News says. The country is now regarded as a major hub for the sport, drawing fighters and promoters to Riyadh for lucrative events.

This move follows recent controversies surrounding the WBC’s stance on Russian and Belarusian fighters due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

In 2022, the WBC banned fighters from these nations from participating in championship bouts.

However, exceptions appear to have been made, including Russian light-heavyweight Dmitry Bivol’s sanctioned match against Artur Beterbiev for the undisputed 175lb title in Riyadh. The pair are set to face off again next month in a high-stakes rematch.

Image: World Boxing Council