IBA has claimed that "World Boxing" and "World Boxing Tour" are its registered properties and insisted the new body to refrain from using them.

With IBA alleging the name of the new body is their trademark, it could spell trouble as World Boxing looks set to host its inaugural Congress in Frankfurt on November 24 and 25.

The Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property (IPI) - the authority responsible for trademark, patent, and design protection - database shows "World Boxing" and "World Boxing Tour" as IBA trademarks.

However, the trademark for "World Boxing" was registered in May 2023, a month after the new body was formed this year.

"Such actions not only inflict reputational and financial harm upon IBA but also misguide the global boxing community regarding the legitimacy of the organization, particularly when we find another entity of boxing using those trade marks that specifically belong to IBA," a statement from IBA secretary general Chris Roberts read.

"In light of these observations, the IBA has instructed the so-call rogue organization to cease with the unlawful use of the concerned trademarks."

While IBA has not taken legal action yet, the expelled Olympic body said it "expects a public apology" for the trademark infringement and asked all mentions of "World Boxing" to be removed by October 26, in a letter addressed to World Boxing interim secretary general Simon Toulson.  

"We have received a letter from IBA which we will discuss with our legal advisors in due course," a World Boxing spokesperson told insidethegames when approached for a comment.

Meanwhile, shades of infighting within the Nigeria Boxing Federation (NBF) came to light as its President Kenneth Minimah confirmed the national governing body has "applied and joined" World Boxing on October 20, contradicting the statement from vice-president Azania Omo-Agege.

Minimah, a retired lieutenant general, claimed NBF's decision to join World Boxing was "validated at a meeting" of its Executive Board.

He went on to state that Omo-Agege's ambitions to make his Acting President position with the African Boxing Confederation (AFBC) permanent "beclouded" him.

"My attention has also been drawn to the unauthorised letters written to international bodies and the world press conference granted by Azania Omo-Agege (vice-president) which has caused great embarrassment to our dear country, our Ministry of Sports, our NOC and our humble selves, the NBF," said Minimah.

"I wish to state that Azania Omo-Agege single handedly carried out all his actions without consultation with the Board nor approval from myself the President of the federation. 

"I did not authorise him.

"The issue of his unauthorised media release, impersonation, forgery of the federation's letter head and other atrocities committed, will be handled by the Board at an appropriate time and due sanctions meted out."

Yesterday, Omo-Agege threatened World Boxing with legal action if they fail to "cease interference" in their matters.

World Boxing, from the beginning, has maintained that an application from NBF to become its member was "signed by all of the relevant senior officials within the Federation and was supported by a letter from the Nigerian National Olympic Committee".

This, combined with the timing of IBA's trademark infringement claims today, adds to the many woes facing the sport as it looks to secure its Olympic future at Los Angeles 2028.

IBA will hear their appeal to being kicked out by the International Olympic Committee at the Court of Arbitration for Sport on November 16.

Meanwhile, Umar Kremlev's organisation is at loggerheads with the Omo-Agege-led AFBC over the continental body's Congress to elect a new President.

AFBC wants to host its Congress on November 18 in Africa after the postponement of its scheduled one in Durban earlier this month.

However, IBA wants it to be held in Dubai and has said that they will not cover the costs of the Congress if it is held in Africa.