Twenty-seven candidates from 14 countries will contest the elections for office at World Boxing’s inaugural Congress in Frankfurt am Main on 24 and 25 November 2023.
In line with the processes set-out in World Boxing’s Statutes, Rules for Electoral Voting and Rules for Candidates of Elections (HERE), all of the candidates, which include seven women, have been assessed and cleared to stand by an independent Vetting Panel of three independent, external experts and supported by the leading independent provider of sport-specific arbitration and mediation services, Sport Resolutions.
As part of the World Boxing’s commitment to transparency and rigorous governance, key papers from the Congress including a full list of candidates and details of their relevant experience and expertise can be viewed HERE.
The 27 National Federations that have had their applications to become members of World Boxing approved are eligible to participate in the inaugural Congress which will host elections for the positions of President and Vice President (VP); places on World Boxing’s Executive Board; and the Chairs of the Committees for Sport and Competition, Medical and Anti-Doping, and Finance and Audit.
The elections will be held on Saturday 25 November 2023 and overseen by an experienced, independent, third-party organisation. Scrutineers will be onsite to validate the veracity of the election processes and ensure candidates are treated in a fair and equitable manner.
Full members will have two or three votes depending on their compliance with the voting rules detailed in World Boxing’s statutes HERE. Associate members have been able to nominate candidates for the elections but are not eligible to vote.
The elections for all of the leading positions of office will be contested. For the office of President, there are two candidates: Elise Seignolle, who has held a variety of senior positions within USA Boxing over the last six years, and the former President (2014 – 2023) of the Dutch Boxing Federation, Boris van der Vorst.
Nine candidates (three women and six men) are standing for the three VP positions. Fifteen people (10 men and five women) will contest the four available places on World Boxing’s Executive Board. A full list of all the candidates taking part in the World Boxing elections can be viewed HERE.
The Secretary General of World Boxing, Simon Toulson, said: “Holding open, fair and transparent elections is a central element of World Boxing’s commitment to operating to the highest standards of governance. The call for candidates has received an excellent response from members and it is a very positive sign to see that all of the major office bearing positions within the organisation will be fairly contested by a diverse range of nominees.
“The candidates that have been cleared to stand by the independent Vetting Panel are of the highest calibre, both in terms of their experience and capabilities and also their commitment to upholding the principles of integrity, honesty and excellence on which World Boxing has been founded.
“I have no doubt that every candidate has the potential to make a very positive contribution to the future development of the organisation and can play an important role in helping us to ensure that boxing remains at the heart of the Olympic movement.”
World Boxing was launched in April 2023. It will seek recognition from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and plans to work constructively and collaboratively to develop a pathway that will preserve boxing’s ongoing place on the Olympic competition programme at Los Angeles 2028 and beyond.