Umar Kremlev, 43, a powerful figure in the Russian boxing world and president of the International Boxing Association (IBA), has been in the spotlight after it was revealed that he financed part of Donald Trump Jr.'s wedding celebrations in the Bahamas.
According to a ProPublica investigation, Kremlev paid hundreds of thousands of dollars for wedding expenses, including renting a private island for several nights and a fireworks display. Trump Jr. and Bettina Trump have confirmed that Kremlev organized and financed two nights of celebrations after the wedding ceremony, describing the payment as a wedding gift from a friend.
Kremlev, who was previously known as Umar Lutfuloev, grew up in Serpukhov, south of Moscow. He took up boxing at a young age, but ended his sports career at the age of 19. According to sources cited in the investigative material, he later became involved in organizing boxing matches.
His career took a significant turn after he became close to the power circle in Russia. He became part of the “Night Wolves” motorcycle community, led by Alexander Zaldostanov, known as “The Surgeon,” who has close relations with Vladimir Putin.
In 2017, Kremlev took over the leadership of the Russian Boxing Federation, while in 2020 he was elected president of the International Amateur Boxing Association, AIBA, which was later renamed IBA.
Under his leadership, the IBA strengthened its relationship with Gazprom, the Russian state-owned energy giant. The organization then clashed with the International Olympic Committee, which in 2023 stripped the IBA of its status as the recognized international federation for Olympic boxing.
Kremlev has also been a vocal figure in the debates surrounding women's boxing. During the 2024 Paris Olympics, he criticized the IOC's decision to allow Imane Khelif to compete in the women's category and sent a letter to US President Donald Trump about the issue.
The relationship between Kremlev and Donald Trump Jr. was also made public through IBA activities. The two appeared together at an event in Istanbul, where Kremlev introduced Trump Jr. as his friend. According to a statement from Trump Jr.'s spokesperson, they were introduced through a mutual friend and became close because of their shared interest in hunting, boxing and outdoor activities.
The revelation that Kremlev had financed a significant portion of the wedding festivities also sparked an investigation in the US Congress. Robert Garcia, the top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee, sought records on the financial relationship and communications between Trump Jr. and Kremlev.
Donald Trump Jr. and his wife have defended their relationship with Kremlev, saying the payments were a generous gift from a friend and that the friendship was not politically motivated. Kremlev's office has also stated that the relationship between the two men is friendly and that they first met several years ago.
Meanwhile, Donald Trump himself has stated that he does not know Kremlev and that he had never heard of him before. ProPublica's investigation has raised questions about the nature of the relationship between Kremlev and Trump Jr., while the parties involved themselves describe it as a personal and friendly relationship.
