In a significant development for the future of boxing at the Olympic Games, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has provisionally recognized a new governing body for the sport. This acknowledgment marks a crucial step in ensuring that boxing remains part of the program for the Los Angeles Games in 2028.
This recognition was given to World Boxing, an organization established in 2023 as a breakaway faction from the previously troubled International Boxing Association (IBA). Since its inception, World Boxing has gained the support of many former members of the IBA.
The IOC highlighted that an impressive 62% of the boxers participating in last year’s Paris Olympics were affiliated with World Boxing. Moreover, the committee commended World Boxing’s commitment to improving governance, implementing robust standards, and adhering to appropriate practices.
Gennady Golovkin, a former boxing legend who is leading the efforts to establish World Boxing as a credible authority for Olympic matches, expressed that while the recognition is an essential achievement, there remains substantial work to be done. “Receiving provisional Olympic recognition from the IOC is an important achievement and demonstrates that our sport is on the right path. This decision brings us one step closer to our main goal – preserving boxing at the Olympic Games,” Golovkin stated.
The background to this movement involves the IOC’s suspension of the IBA in 2019 due to persistent issues related to governance, financial management, and the fairness of matches and judging. In a striking action, the IOC completely removed the IBA from the Olympic movement in 2023, shortly after the formation of the World Boxing faction.
During both the Tokyo 2021 Olympics and the Paris Games last year, the IOC took responsibility for organizing the boxing events. However, it has been seeking a new partner to manage boxing competitions ahead of the 2028 Games.
In response to its suspension, the IBA and its president, Umar Kremlev, have been in a continuous dispute with the IOC. The issues, particularly regarding the eligibility rules for women’s boxing in the Paris Olympics, have been brought to focus, with gold medalists Imane Khelif and Lin Yu-ting being central figures in the discussion. Recently, the IBA announced its intention to pursue legal actions against the IOC in the U.S., France, and Switzerland.
