2026

World Boxing appoints Tom Dielen as new Secretary General

World Boxing has appointed Tom Dielen as its new Secretary General to lead and manage its day-to-day operations on the path to the Los Angeles Olympic Games in 2028 (LA28).

Dielen was appointed following an open recruitment process and will take-up the role in February 2026. He will be based at World Boxing’s office in Lausanne and will report to the Executive Board and the President of World Boxing, Gennadiy Golovkin.

A Belgium and Swiss national, Dielen has nearly 30 years’ experience in a wide variety of leadership roles within Olympic Sport and spent two decades as the Secretary General of World Archery from 2005-2025.

In this role he led the development and execution of a strategic plan that transformed the International Federation from a sport at risk of Olympic exclusion into a credible, well-respected, financially stable model of innovation which was recognised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

Prior to this he held senior positions with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and the Fédération Internationale de Tir à l’Arc (FITA).

As part of his various roles in sport Dielen has also sat on numerous committees and boards within the Olympic Movement for a variety of organisations including the Association of Summer International Olympic Federations (ASOIF) the International World Games Association (IWGA) and the Association of Paralympic Sport Organisations (APSO).

The President of World Boxing, Gennadiy Golovkin, said: “Mr Dielen’s background in international sport aligns well with the responsibilities and expectations of our organisation. I am confident that this experience will strengthen our work and support its future development.”

Tom Dielen added: “I am really thrilled to start a new challenge in the Olympic Movement as Secretary General of World Boxing. From the first contact with Mr Golovkin, the President, there was a good feeling between the two of us and I thank him and the Board for this opportunity.

“I am looking forward getting to know the athletes of this truly universal sport. There are exciting moments ahead this year with events for young athletes in Thailand and of course Senegal. Then there will be the World Boxing Cup series events in Brazil, China and Uzbekistan for the athletes as they start their road to LA2028.

“In the coming months, I will start to expand the team to ensure a bright Olympic future for the sport. Let’s get in the ring and work on inspiring and engaging people to pursue a passion for boxing through integrity and excellence.”

Dielen has a Master of Engineering (Computer Science) from the Catholic University of Leuven and a Sport Management Degree from the Belgian Olympic Academy. He also holds a Sport Merit Award from the Catholic University of Leuven and is an Honorary Member of the Compagnie des Archers de Lausanne.

He competed in Field and 3D Archery at national level and is active in Tennis, Curling, Skiing and Cycling.

World Boxing was launched in April 2023 with a mission to ensure that boxing remains at the heart of the Olympic movement. It held its first formal meeting with the IOC in May 2024 and on 25 February 2025, it was granted provisional recognition by the IOC as the International Federation (IF) within the Olympic Movement governing the sport of boxing at world level.

World Boxing President Gennadiy Golovkin holds productive meeting with the leadership of European Boxing

The President of World Boxing, Gennadiy Golovkin, has identified the importance of creating education programmes for officials as a key priority in the future development of the sport following a productive meeting with the leadership of the Continental Confederation for Europe, European Boxing,

The meeting covered a wide range of issues and developments within the sport including the future direction of European Boxing, opportunities for collaboration, and key development areas including governance, competitions and the use of technology.

On competitions, the meeting reviewed European Boxing’s recent activities, which included the successful delivery of both the U17 and U23 European Championships, and looked forward to the inaugural European Boxing Championships in Sofia, Bulgaria, 15-26 September 2026.

Other areas of discussion included the importance of training seminars for Technical Officials and referees and judges; developments in the use of technology and Artificial Intelligence (AI) in competitions; the commercial development of Olympic-style boxing and collaboration and closer alignment between World Boxing and European Boxing.

Following the meeting, the President of World Boxing, Gennadiy Golovkin, said: “I appreciate the strong engagement from European Boxing and the leadership shown by President Lars Brovil and his team. Europe has demonstrated that it can deliver high-quality events and high-level organisation — and that experience is critical as we build the next stage of World Boxing.

“At the same time, we know that credibility is built not only through competitions, but through people and standards. That is why education will be one of our key priorities: structured programmes for coaches, technical delegates, referees and judges, with clear pathways and consistent certification. Better education means better officiating, safer boxing, and greater trust from athletes and National Federations.”

World Boxing publishes updated 2026 competition calendar

World Boxing has published an updated calendar for 2026, which includes the international competitions that will be delivered by World Boxing, three continental confederation championships and a series of multi-sport events that will take place under its rules and where World Boxing is the recognised International Federation for the sport.

The updated calendar features competitions for elite and U19 male and female boxers and can be viewed on the World Boxing website HERE.

World Boxing Competitions

The centrepiece of the 2026 calendar for elite men and women is the continuation of the World Boxing Cup series, which will consist of three stages across the year.

Stage 1 of the World Boxing Cup 2026 will be held in Foz do Iguaçu, Brazil from 20–26 April, followed by Stage 2 in Guiyang City, China from 15–20 June. The series will culminate in the World Boxing Cup Finals, which will take place in Tashkent, Uzbekistan from 25 November – 2 December 2026.

At U19* level, the competitive year will begin with the World Boxing Futures Cup in Bangkok, Thailand from 8 – 15 March 2026, which is an entry event for the Youth Olympic Games** that will be held in Dakar, Senegal, 31 October – 13 November 2026. 

2026 will also see World Boxing host its second World Boxing U19 Championships which will take place in the final quarter of the year. A bidding process has been held for this event and an announcement will be made shortly on dates and a host city.

Continental Championships

Following the establishment of Continental Confederations in 2025, the next 12 months will see three of them host their inaugural championships.

The Asian Boxing Championships will take place in Ulaanbaatar in Mongolia, 28 March – 11 April 2026, followed by the European Boxing Championship in Sofia, Bulgaria from 15 – 26 September 2026.  The Continental Confederation Championships will conclude with the PanAmerican Boxing Championships in Pueblo, Mexico, 10 – 17 October 2026.

Multi-sport Events

The 2026 calendar also includes several multi-sport events where World Boxing is the recognised International Federation for boxing and will be held under its rules. These include the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, 23 July – 2 August 2026 and the Asian Games in Japan (Aichi/Nagoya), 19 September – 4 October 2026, and the Youth Olympic Games.

World Boxing was launched in April 2023 with a mission to ensure that boxing remains at the heart of the Olympic Movement. It held its first formal meeting with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in May 2024 and, on 25 February 2025, was granted provisional recognition by the IOC as the International Federation (IF) governing the sport of boxing at world level within the Olympic Movement.

Notes:

* U19 competitions are open to boxers born between 1 January 2008 – 31 December 2009

** The Youth Olympic Games is open to boxers born between 14 November 2008 – 31 December 2009

ITA Webinar | ‘World Boxing -Clean Sport Education Webinar for Coaches’

Registration link: Webinar Registration – Zoom
Title: WB – Clean Sport Education Webinar for Coaches
Date: 5 February 2026
Time: 14:00 – 15:00 CET
Panellists: ITA Education Team

Clean Sport Education webinar hosted by the International Testing Agency (ITA), on behalf of World Boxing. Afsheen Panjalizadeh, WB Senior Competition Manager and Ervin Kade, Finland Boxing Federation and Member of World Boxing Coaches Commission, will be hosting alongside the ITA.

As trusted figures in an athlete’s life, coaches significantly influence their values and behaviours. Athletes depend on their entourage for reliable information and mentorship, making it important for you to understand the anti-doping rules and how to foster a culture of integrity in sport.

This webinar will outline the roles and responsibilities of coaches, offering practical tips for you to support your athletes, protect yourself and serve as a role model for clean sport. Join us as we work together to Keep Sport Real and bring your questions for the live Q&A!

This webinar will be delivered in English, with and automated translated captions available, and all attendees will receive a PDF of the webinar presentation, including links to the resources covered.

ITA Webinar | Ask the Expert: Nutrition

Registration link: Webinar Registration – Zoom
Title: Ask the Expert: Nutrition
Date: 29 January 2026
Time: 14:00 – 15:00 CET
Panellists: ITA Education Team

World Boxing members are invited to take part in an ITA ‘Ask the Expert’ Webinar on nutrition on 29 January 2026, featuring Professor Louise Burke, IOC Diploma Programme in Sports Nutrition and Australian Catholic University Director.

This session will provide an overview of the topic, along with practical insights and expert answers to your questions.

‘A strong athlete voice makes the sport better for everyone’ Athletes Committee Chair Caitlin Parker on her plans in the role,World Boxing’s progress and the impact of becoming a mum

Caitlin Parker, Australia’s first ever female boxer to medal at an Olympic Games, has been named Chair of World Boxing’s Athletes Committee. Parker was re-elected to the Athletes Committee by her fellow boxers at the World Boxing Championships 2025 in Liverpool.

We caught up with the Paris bronze medallist at the start of 2026 to discuss her goals, the importance of the Athletes Committee, World Boxing’s progress and more.

How did it feel to be named chair of the Athletes Committee?

I just felt really honoured, to be honest. And to be elected by my peers at the 2025 World Championships in Liverpool was special. And then to also have the committee members trust me as being the chair, is something I don’t take lightly.

I just want to do my best. I’ve been boxing most of my life, and now to be able to give back to the sport in a way that I can also advocate for athletes is important to me. It’s a responsibility that I’m really proud of.

What are your plans as chair?

One of the biggest priorities must be protecting boxing’s place in the Olympic Games and making sure athletes voices are genuinely heard. Also, to be included in all the decision-making processes, I’m really passionate about building an environment and a culture within the Australian team when I’ve been captain there.

That’s what I want to do with this committee and World Boxing, building that environment where athletes feel valued, supported and just proud to be a part of World Boxing. And that’s not just during competitions but through their entire journey in the sport.

How important do you think it is that athletes have a voice within the sport and the international federation?

It’s so essential, absolutely essential. Athletes are the heart of the sport. We live it. We live the rules, the competition schedules, the travel, the pressures every day, the literal blood, sweat and tears. A strong athlete voice makes the sport better for everyone.

World Boxing has come a long way in a short space of time and has been provisionally recognized by the IOC. What do you think are the main challenges facing the organization?

World Boxing has made massive progress in such a short period of time. The provisional IOC recognition was a massive step forward. The key challenge now is continuing to build that trust through good governance and continuing to have good transparency and consistency.

Across the whole the World Boxing community we need to be making sure that the systems in place put athletes first. World Boxing needs to be sustainable and bring together all National Federations and athletes with a shared vision of an Olympic future for the sport.

What impact do you think it will have that the new President of World Boxing comes from an athlete background and is as such a respected figure as Gennadiy Golovkin?

Obviously, having a president that comes from an athlete background is powerful. Gennadiy understands the realities of sport at the highest level and especially boxing. He knows what athletes actually have to experience in and out of the ring. The leadership that he can bring will create that credibility and trust straight away, I think, and will continue to do so for the athletes.

I think it sends a strong message that athletes matter and that their perspectives are valued at the very top of the organisation.

How has becoming a mum change your perspective as an athlete, and how do you think this can benefit the sport?

Becoming a mum has been the best thing ever. I feel like it’s made me a better person. It’s also given me perspective on purpose, that’s for sure. That’s a big one.

Also balance, I guess it it’s a bit of a reminder that, athletes are people. They have lives outside of competition and the support system that you have around you is really important. I think it can help shape a sport that better understands the athletes, I can support them through the different stages of life and create an environment where people can do well in the ring and out of the ring.

World Boxing’s Executive Board endorses three new membership applications from Armenia, Equatorial Guinea and Portugal

The Executive Board of World Boxing has endorsed three new membership applications from the National Federations for boxing in Armenia, Equatorial Guinea and Portugal.

The endorsement of three new applications means World Boxing now has 155 National Federations as members, made-up of 123 ‘Full Members’, one ‘Associate Member’ and 31 ‘Endorsed Members’.


Under World Boxing Statutes HERE the National Federations for boxing in Armenia, Equatorial Guinea and Portugal have “Endorsed Member’ status which means they are able to compete in World Boxing competitions but cannot vote at Congress 2026 as they do not have ‘Full Member’ status.


‘Full Member’ status can only be conferred by Congress, which is the ultimate authority of World Boxing, and will be voted on at Congress 2026. ‘Endorsed Members’ that are successful in having their membership applications ratified at this Congress and become ‘Full Members’ will be able to vote at the following year’s Congress in 2027 and all those thereafter.

The three new National Federation members are:

  • Boxing Federation of Armenia
  • Portuguese Boxing Federation (Federação Portuguesa de Boxe)
  • Boxing Federation of Equatorial Guinea (FEGUIBOX)

To secure the endorsement of the Executive Board, all three have completed a rigorous application process and 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-recognsied anti-doping polices and processes
  • Evidence of a structured, dispute resolution and appeals process that is either fully independent or subject to external input


Lists of the 124 National Federations that have ‘Full Member’ or ‘Associate Member’ status and the 31 National Federations that have ‘Endorsed Member’ status can viewed be in the membership section of the World Boxing website HERE.


World Boxing was launched in April 2023 with a mission to ensure that boxing remains at the heart of the Olympic movement. It held its first formal meeting with the IOC in May 2024 and on 25 February 2025, it was granted provisional recognition by the IOC as the International Federation (IF) within the Olympic Movement governing the sport of boxing at world level.

President of World Boxing Gennadiy Golovkin sets out plans for 2026 in New Year message to member National Federations

The President of World Boxing, Gennadiy Golovkin, has delivered a New Year message to its 152 members setting out his priorities for 2026 which are designed to “strengthen trust in the organisation, safeguard the values of boxing and build а modern, sustainable, and professional international federation that fully meets the expectations of the Olympic Movement and the wider international sporting community”.

The priorities cover a wide-range of areas and include an operational reorganisation; putting athletes at the centre of the World Boxing’s work; publishing a strategic roadmap for World Boxing through to  Brisbane 2032; an increased focus on competition integrity and officiating; plans for the increased adoption and usage of new technology and Artificial Intelligence (AI); integration with the Olympic calendar; increased commercial development; and plans to continue to grow membership and enhance relations with National Federations.

All of this is underpinned by a commitment to an open dialogue with National Federations and the willingness of the President to work directly to address concerns and issues.

The operational reorganisation will see World Boxing consolidate its activities at its office in Lausanne, Switzerland and establish an effective governance model based on transparency, accountability and efficient decision-making.

The next 12 months will also see World Boxing present its strategic roadmap for the period 2026-2032. The strategy will set-out plans for the long-term development of the organisation and include details on:

  • Strengthening the central role of athletes
  • Setting out a clear pathway to Los Angeles 2028 and Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games
  • Ensuring long-term financial sustainability and transparency
  • Modernising statutory and regulatory frameworks
  • The launch of a global World Boxing Online Academy for sports managers, athletes, officials, coaches and Referees and Judges (R&Js)

Ensuring fairness and the integrity of competitions is central to the President’s vision for World Boxing and 2026 will see further progress in this area to develop officiating, enhance education and professional standards for referees and judges, and standardize procedures across competitions. It will also include the introduction of new technologies, including elements of AI, to enhance objectivity.

On this subject, the letter from the President states: “Integrity of Competition and Officiating Trust in competition results and fairness are the cornerstone of any sport. World Boxing will continue its systematic work to further improve transparency, and fairness in judging.”

The use of new technologies and AI will be a key driver of World Boxing’s modernisation over the next 12 months when it plans to implement advanced digital tools and AI solutions across both governance and analytical and competition-related processes, all of which will be designed to enhance efficiency, transparency and trust.

Commercial activities will be designed to build on boxing’s status as a globally recognised sport and increase the attractiveness, visibility and value of its competitions, while building sustainable partnerships that support long-term growth.  Relations with member National Federations will be enhanced by improving data management and the development new digital communications platforms.

The priorities are all underpinned by a commitment to putting the interests of athletes at the centre of World Boxing’s activities and a personal commitment from the new President to work closely with National Federations.

In the letter to National Federations, Gennadiy Golovkin says: “Athletes are the heart and purpose of World Boxing. We will consistently strengthen their roles within our governance framework, ensure transparent and fair selection and qualification pathways, and protect their rights and interests. Particular attention will be paid to athletes’ physical and mental well-being, as well as to their meaningful involvement in consultative and representative structures.

“You all know that l am а person of action rather than words. I intend to maintain constant contact with all our members and look forward to working closely with all of you in the year ahead and am confident that, together, we will lay а strong foundation for а sustainable and successful future for World Boxing. I wish all of us а strong, united, and successful 2026 – а year of hard work, real progress, and shared achievements.”