AIBA officials visited Georgia with a new scoring system promised soon ©AIBA

The International Boxing Association (AIBA) will unveil a new scoring system "shortly" as the governing body battles to regain its Olympic status.

An International Olympic Committee (IOC) Boxing Task Force will run the competition at Tokyo 2020 after the IOC stripped AIBA of its rights in June 2019.

A number of issues were cited, including refereeing and judging, and new AIBA President Umar Kremlev has suggested that live scoring could be introduced in a bid to ensure more transparency. 

All 36 referees and judges at Rio 2016 were suspended following suspicious results, with AIBA launching a fresh probe into this scandal which will be headed up by Richard McLaren. 

In June, it was revealed that AIBA was also investigating allegations of "rigged judging" at May's Asian Championships in Dubai.

Kremlev, AIBA secretary general István Kovács, technical delegate Dragoljub Radovic and the chairman of AIBA's Referees and Judges (R&J) Committee Chris Roberts met with officials at the Junior European Championships in Tbilisi in Georgia.

"To create a brand new scoring system means to have new boxing and a new future," said Kovács, winner of Olympic bantamweight title for Hungary at Atlanta 1996.

"It is easy when the judging system is clean and transparent. 

"We need to give our beloved sport a great future. 

"We will present all the innovation internally and externally as soon as it will be ready and well-tested."

Kremlev has made refereeing and judging a priority since his election in December.

A series of controversial decisions at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro has put the spotlight on referee and judging even more into the spotlight ©Getty Images
A series of controversial decisions at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro has put the spotlight on referee and judging even more into the spotlight ©Getty Images


"I see that our R&Js system is on the right track, with a lot of work ahead," he said. 

"We are not improvising, we have a strong AIBA R&J Committee and a comprehensive plan. 

"I truly believe that we will achieve full transparency and honesty, in order to guarantee fair fights."

Roberts explained the ongoing work of his Committee which includes an online e-learning programme and a refereeing and judges manual. 

A Code of Conduct is being developed as well as an "AIBA auditor" qualification and a new certification course.

AIBA has already introduced new scoring rules following Rio 2016, with five judges now overseeing a bout instead of three.

Their scores flash up at the end of each round, instead of at the end of the fight, in a bid to achieve more transparency.

Some have criticised the system for taking the drama out of a close contest. 

AIBA President Umar Kremlev has also visited Armenia ©AIBA
AIBA President Umar Kremlev has also visited Armenia ©AIBA

Kremlev also visited Armenia where he met with boxers and coaches, answered their questions and presented equipment.

He said he would like to see a major tournament held in the country, such as the European Championships.

"I always strive to have direct dialogue with boxers and coaches because you are the most important people in our sport," he said.

"Your country has strong traditions in boxing which have to be restored. 

"AIBA is changing now, our main task is to protect your interest. 

"Together we will make our sport more popular not only in Armenia, but globally."