2024

The National Federations for boxing in Barbados, Dominica, Peru and Singapore have become the latest four organisations to have their membership applications approved by World Boxing, the new international federation established to keep boxing at the heart of the Olympic Movement.

It comes after the recent announcement that the Boxing Federation of India (BFI) has joined World Boxing and follows a series of meetings held by members of World Boxing’s Executive Board with the leaders of National Federations at the recent 2nd World Qualification Tournament in Bangkok.

Barbados, Dominica, Peru and Singapore have all completed a rigorous application process to join World Boxing. They are deemed to be in good standing and, through their statutes and operating processes, able to demonstrate:

• A transparent and open election process for the appointment of office bearing roles
• The existence and operation of WADA-recognised anti-doping polices and processes
• Evidence of a structured, dispute resolution and appeals process that is either fully independent or subject to external input
• Formal recognition by either their National Olympic Committee (NOC) or Ministry for Sport
• A solid national and international boxing sports programme

The President of World Boxing, Boris van der Vorst, said: “We are delighted to welcome Barbados, Dominica, Peru and Singapore to World Boxing. The addition of four new members increases our footprint in the Americas and Asia shows that more and more countries share both our vision for boxing and our commitment to the principles of integrity, honesty and excellence.

“The growth in our membership and the fact that we are currently processing applications from a number of countries is an indication of the growing support for World Boxing and the recognition by National Federations that they need to act now and join World Boxing if they want boxers from their country to have the opportunity to compete at future Olympic Games beyond Paris 2024. This is the only path that will see our sport remain a part of the Olympic programme at Los Angeles 2028 and beyond.”

World Boxing was launched in April 2023 and aims to ensure that boxing remains at the heart of the Olympic movement. On 7 May 2024 it held its first formal meeting with the IOC which signalled the start of formal collaboration between the two organisations aimed at establishing a pathway for boxing to remain in the Olympic Games.

World Boxing currently has 33 members covering all of the five Continents that compete in international boxing.

The Boxing Federation of India (BFI) has agreed to become a member of World Boxing, the International Federation established to ensure boxing remains at the heart of the Olympic Movement.

The membership application has been approved by the BFI’s General Assembly and will be ratified by World Boxing’s Executive Board. The BFI President, Mr Ajay Singh, recently met with World Boxing’s President and Secretary General to discuss ways in which India can support the International Federation in growing its membership base in Asia, where the BFI is one of the largest National Federations.

As part of its commitment to the future development of World Boxing, the BFI aims to play a leading role in establishing an Asian Confederation and drive the recruitment of other National Federations in the region.

It also intends to actively participate in the work of World Boxing Committees and all Commissions as well bidding to host World Boxing competitions and supporting World Boxing’s efforts to secure commercial partnerships and generate new income streams.

The President of World Boxing, Boris van der Vorst, stated: “India is a very important country in international boxing and we look forward to welcoming the BFI into the growing World Boxing family. This is a very exciting development which will significantly increase our presence in Asia and I look forward to working closely with the BFI in delivering our common goals.

“In both its public comments and during our recent meeting, the IOC has delivered a clear message to all National Federations that if they want boxers from their country to have the opportunity to compete at future Olympic Games then they must now join World Boxing. This is the only path that will see our sport remain in the Olympic Games after Paris 2024 and National Federations must act now and follow the example of the BFI if they want boxing to have any chance of still being part of the programme at Los Angeles 2028.”

The President of the BFI, Mr Ajay Singh, said: “It is absolutely vital to the sustainability of boxing that it retains its Olympics status, so we are delighted to join World Boxing and look forward to working closely with the Executive Board and our fellow members to shape the future development of the sport and deliver a brighter future for boxers across the world.

“The BFI shares the same values and goals as World Boxing and are keen to play a leading role in its development. We also wish to be at the forefront of the formation and hosting of a new Asian confederation to ensure boxing continues to expand and grow its membership on the continent.”

World Boxing was launched in April 2023 and aims to ensure that boxing remains at the heart of the Olympic movement. On 7 May 2024 it held its first formal meeting with the IOC which signalled the start of formal collaboration between the two organisations aimed at establishing a pathway for boxing to remain in the Olympic Games.

World Boxing currently has members covering all of the five Continents that compete in international boxing.