Bouzidi will assist the AIBA executive director Ho Kim, while continuing to manage all aspects of the WSB.

The French-Algerian joined the AIBA in 2012 as chief operating officer of the WSB, the only global pro-style team boxing competition, and became its chief executive in 2013.

Prior to joining WSB, he was general manager of French franchise Paris United, who were crowned WSB Team Champions in the inaugural 2010-2011 season.

"I am delighted that Karim will now put all his experience and expertise to the benefit of AIBA overall," said AIBA President C K Wu.

"As deputy executive director, he will work together with AIBA executive director Ho Kim on all strategic decisions, while also keeping a particular focus on further developing AIBA's three competition formats - AIBA Pro Boxing (APB), World Series of Boxing and AIBA Open Boxing (AOB)."

All aspects of the World Series of Boxing will still be managed by Karim Bouzidi
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The APB competition was launched in October, giving boxers the unique opportunity to turn professional while retaining eligibility to qualify for the Olympic Games. 

A total of 16 bouts signalled the start of the pre-ranking phase of the competition that sees boxers fight professionally across 10 weight categories in six-round contests.

Wu considers the competition the next step in the modernisation of the sport, following the AOB and the WSB, which he first presented to the boxing family in August 2008.

The establishment of the WSB marked a new era for boxing by providing a bridge between Olympic boxing and a future professional programme.

"AIBA continues to grow as the world governing body for boxing, in particular with the launch of our groundbreaking new competition format AIBA Pro Boxing," added Wu.

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