The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has taken a significant step to ensure boxing remains part of the Olympic programme for the 2028 Los Angeles Games by recognising a new governing body, World Boxing. Established in 2023, World Boxing was formed as a response to ongoing issues surrounding the International Boxing Association (IBA), which has faced criticism and governance failures.
The IOC’s board has provisionally recognised World Boxing, noting that a substantial 62 per cent of boxers participating in the upcoming Paris Olympics are affiliated with its members. This recognition highlights World Boxing’s commitment to enhancing governance and adhering to relevant standards.
Gennady Golovkin, a prominent Kazakhstani boxer leading the initiative to establish World Boxing, acknowledged this recognition as a crucial moment but emphasised that significant work still lies ahead. He expressed hope that this achievement signifies progress for the sport.
Boxing Australia has welcomed this development, viewing it as a pivotal move in securing boxing’s future within the Olympic framework. Australian boxer Caitlin Parker, who secured a bronze medal at the Paris Olympics, described the recognition as an exciting milestone that restores hope for aspiring Olympians.
The IOC took decisive action against the IBA in 2019, suspending it due to governance disputes and financial irregularities. This culminated in the IBA being entirely ousted from the Olympic movement in 2023, shortly after World Boxing’s formation. Consequently, the IOC organised boxing tournaments independently during the Tokyo Olympics and will do so in Paris as well, but it is seeking a reliable partner before the 2028 Games.
Tensions continue between the IBA and the IOC, particularly surrounding eligibility rules for women’s boxing, highlighted by the controversy surrounding gold medalists Imane Khelif and Lin Yu-ting at the Paris Games. The IBA recently announced plans to initiate criminal complaints against the IOC in multiple countries, reflecting the ongoing conflicts stemming from these disputes.
The IOC’s decision to grant provisional recognition to World Boxing represents a crucial turning point that aims to provide stability and a renewed sense of hope for the future of boxing in the Olympic sphere. It marks a commitment to ensuring that boxing can thrive on this prestigious international platform and underscores the importance of governance in the sport.