According to Thanh Nien Newspaper, the Vietnam Boxing Federation (VBF) will hold an extraordinary congress to elect a new president following the confirmed arrest of its current leader, Luu Tu Bao, in the United States.

New leadership to be elected

The VBF’s emergency election process includes announcing and convening the congress, reviewing reports, discussing strategic directions, electing a new executive committee for the term, and publicly announcing the new leadership. Luu Tu Bao, who was elected for the 2023–2028 term, will be replaced as president.

For several months, Luu Tu Bao has neither managed federation affairs nor responded to communication attempts after traveling to the US earlier this year, allegedly for family matters. He was also absent from an emergency VBF meeting on the afternoon of September 4, despite being invited to attend online.

Arrested in the US on drug and kidnapping charges

Luu Tu Bao is currently being held in the US as the Northern District Court of California reviews an extradition request filed by the Australian government. He is accused of being the ringleader of a transnational criminal organization that attempted to smuggle 78 kilograms (172 pounds) of cocaine into Australia. The arrest warrant was issued by the Melbourne Court in April 2025 and remains in effect.

On August 14, 2025, the US court received the extradition request. Judge Thomas S. Hixson is handling the case. Luu Tu Bao, age 49, was arrested in California in April 2025. His next hearing is scheduled for January 29, 2026.

Bao, a dual citizen of Vietnam and the United States, was appointed VBF president on October 15, 2023. After being wanted by Australian authorities, he primarily resided in Ho Chi Minh City. His accomplices in Australia have already been convicted and imprisoned. He left Vietnam in February 2025 and was arrested shortly after entering the US, also facing charges of kidnapping and unlawful detention.

His disappearance has shocked Vietnam’s martial arts community. If convicted in Australia, Luu Tu Bao could face a life sentence.

PV