Who Is Umar Kremlev? Russian Boxing Chief Linked to Trump Jr.’s Wedding
Umar Kremlev, the president of the International Boxing Association (IBA), has come under renewed scrutiny after reports that he helped pay for celebrations surrounding Donald Trump Jr.’s wedding in the Bahamas according to the Athletic.
An investigation by ProPublica reported that Kremlev covered hundreds of thousands of dollars in expenses, including the rental of a private island and a fireworks display during the three-day celebration in May. The payments were reportedly made through an IBA-affiliated entity based in Dubai.
Trump Jr. and his wife, Bettina Anderson, later confirmed Kremlev’s involvement, describing him as a friend who hosted two nights of celebrations following their private wedding ceremony. Kremlev’s representatives also confirmed that he and Trump Jr. have a friendly relationship.
Kremlev’s rise in boxing
Kremlev became president of the Russian Boxing Federation in 2017 before taking charge of the IBA in 2020.
During his leadership, the IBA secured a sponsorship agreement with Russian energy company Gazprom. The organization later faced increasing scrutiny over its governance and finances.
In 2023, the International Olympic Committee withdrew its recognition of the IBA as boxing’s governing body. The IOC cited governance concerns and said the organization had failed to provide sufficient transparency about its financing and its dependence at the time on Gazprom.
The IBA subsequently lost its role in organizing Olympic boxing, with the IOC overseeing the boxing competitions at the Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Games.
Kremlev’s connection with Trump Jr.
The relationship between Kremlev and Trump Jr. became more visible in 2025, when the two appeared together at an IBA-hosted sports and business event in Istanbul.
Kremlev had also publicly praised Donald Trump’s position on eligibility in women’s sports and expressed interest in working with the Trump administration on issues involving the Olympic movement.
The latest attention stems from the Bahamas wedding. ProPublica reported that Kremlev paid for major parts of the post-wedding celebrations, while Trump Jr. and his wife said the events were a generous gift from their friend.
The development has also prompted a congressional inquiry. Rep. Robert Garcia, the ranking Democrat on the House Oversight Committee, requested records concerning the relationship and payments connected to the wedding.
What happens next for the IBA?
World Boxing was formally recognized by the IOC as the governing body for Olympic boxing in March 2025, further separating the Olympic movement from the IBA.
Kremlev’s organization continues to operate outside the Olympic system and has expanded its activities into other forms of boxing, including bare-knuckle events.
His relationship with Trump Jr. has now added another dimension to the scrutiny surrounding the IBA president, although the full extent and future significance of their relationship remain unclear.
