2026

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.

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.”