The German Boxing Association cancels the new season of the German Boxing League, which was due to start in January 2026. BOXSPORT explains the background.
It’s the final bell – for the German Boxing Association’s (DBV) national boxing league. Because: There will not be a new season of the German team championship in Olympic boxing – at least for the time being, DBV sports director Detlef Jentsch confirmed to BOXSPORT. A novelty, apart from the corona-related forced break in league operations in 2020.
But: The decline of the league has been apparent. For years. Most recently, the “top division” consisted of three teams. A miniature format as a caricature. That should not happen again. Those responsible at the DBV agreed on that. In previous years, only four or five clubs had entered. No comparison to the 1990s and noughties with the upper and lower divisions.
Criticism of lack of interest
The new season should have started on January 17, 2026. In the end, only three clubs confirmed their participation: permanent league champions BC Chemnitz 94, returning champions BSK Hannover-Seelze and title holders 1. BC Marburg. Shortly before the last minute, series champion BC Traktor Schwerin dropped out, according to Jentsch. It would probably have been possible with the Schwerin team. But not like this. Jentsch: “Our decision stands, no league start.” Also because the numerous competition dates for the association, coaches and athletes could no longer be coordinated.
Which infuriates Olaf Leib when asked by BOXSPORT. The DBV board member is also president of the Boxing Association of Saxony and head coach of the Chemnitz “Wolves”. What’s more, he’s someone who doesn’t mince his words.
For example, in the internal WhatsApp group “DBV Infos”. Under the headline “Ring frei – Liga vorbei”, Leib vented his anger. An angry message that is available to BOXSPORT. In it and in conversation with the author, Leib criticizes the DBV’s competitive sports department with the two sports directors Michael Müller and Paul Döring. Furthermore, the large state associations of NRW, Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg and no less “the heavily publicly financed clubs at the federal bases”. For what? For their lack of interest in the league. And: “A good 800 clubs are organized in the DBV. And not even a handful of them are able to put together a team suitable for the league.”
Criticism follows criticism
Jentsch replies that the DBV can only set the framework conditions, the clubs have to run the league. The umbrella association could not oblige any regional associations to provide teams. And what’s more: criticism is easy, very easy. “But those”, emphasizes Jentsch, “who constantly criticize can ask themselves what they have done for the league in recent years.” Nevertheless, Leib is adamant that running the league is a matter of will, a matter of priorities. “And by that I mean everyone involved.”
Jentsch and Leib agree on one point. The new DBV President Farid Vatanparast is a big fan of the format, having boxed in the Bundesliga himself. All well and good – but is there a future for the team championship? First of all, Jentsch emphasizes that there will no longer be a constant back and forth with the league registrations in the future. “We need planning security.” However, it is also clear: “The league is not dead, it has just been canceled for the next season.” Translated: The DBV has fired a warning shot, perhaps the last one. But it has not yet sung the death knell for the German Boxing League.
Text: Oliver Rast