Governance

World Boxing Announces 2026 Event Calendar and Bidding Timelines

World Boxing has announced the preliminary structure of the 2026 World Boxing competition calendar, as well as various key dates for national federations to enter the bidding process for World Boxing events. Within the preliminary 2026 World Boxing calendar, the organization has outlined 13 events, consisting of five confederation championship events, four World Boxing Cup events, two U19 Championship events, the Commonwealth Games and the Youth Olympic Games.

Among the various World Boxing events on the schedule for 2026, there will be three separate timelines for World Boxing Cup events, World Boxing U19 events and Confederation Championship events. The bidding timelines for the three types of 2026 World Boxing events are listed below. An overview of the 2026 World Boxing Competition Calendar can be found at the bottom of this press release.

Key Dates – 2026 World Boxing Cup Bidding:

  • May 23, 2025 – World Boxing Cup Bidding Guidelines Announcement
  • July 1, 2025 – World Boxing Cup Bidding Deadline
  • August 1, 2025 – World Boxing Executive Board Approval
  • August 14, 2025 – Host City Agreements Signed
  • August 21, 2025 – Calendar is Finalized and Announced

Key Dates – 2026 U19 World Boxing Event Bidding:

  • June 13, 2025 – U19 World Boxing Futures Cup & U19 World Boxing Championships Bidding Guidelines Announcement
  • August 1, 2025 – Bidding Deadline for 2026 U19 Events
  • September 1, 2025 – World Boxing Executive Board Approval
  • September 14, 2025 – Host City Agreements Signed
  • September 21, 2025 – World Boxing U19 Calendar is Finalized and Announced

Key Dates – 2026 Confederation Championships Event Bidding:

  • June 13, 2025 – Confederation Championships Bidding Guidelines Announcement
  • August 1, 2025 – Bidding Deadline for Confederation Championships
  • September 1, 2025 – World Boxing Executive Board & Confederation Executive Board Approval
  • September 14, 2025 – Host City Agreements Signed
  • September 21, 2025 – Confederation Calendar is Finalized and Announced
2026 World Boxing Competition Calendar Overview
MonthDateMonthDateOrganizerEvent NameCountryGenderDivision 
FebruaryTBDFebruaryTBDWorld BoxingWorld Boxing Cup #1TBDM&WElite 
MarchTBDMarchTBDWorld BoxingU19 World Boxing Futures CupTBDM&WU19 
AprilTBDAprilTBDWorld BoxingWorld Boxing Cup #2TBDM&WElite 
JuneTBDJuneTBDWorld BoxingWorld Boxing Cup #3TBDM&WElite 
July23August2CGF/WBCommonwealth GamesScotlandM&WElite 
July/Aug.TBDJuly/AugustTBDWorld BoxingU19 World ChampionshipsTBDM&WU19 
September19October4Confederation/WBAsian GamesJapanM&WElite 
Aug.-Nov.TBDTBDTBDConfederation/WBEuropean ChampionshipsTBDM&WElite 
Aug.-Nov.TBDTBDTBDConfederation/WBPan American ChampionshipsTBDM&WElite 
Aug.-Nov.TBDTBDTBDConfederation/WBAfrican ChampionshipsTBDM&WElite 
Aug.-Nov.TBDTBDTBDConfederation/WBOceanic ChampionshipsTBDM&WElite 
October31November13World BoxingYouth Olympic GamesDakarM&WU19 
End Nov./Early Dec.TBDTBDTBDWorld BoxingWorld Cup Final (Qualified Event)TBDM&WElite 

Lars Brovil from the Danish Boxing Association elected President of European Boxing at its inaugural Congress in Prague

Lars Brovil from the Danish Boxing Association has been elected as President of European Boxing at its inaugural Congress in Prague, Czech Republic.

The new Confederation currently has 28 member National Federations and is affiliated to World Boxing, which is the Internatonal Federation (IF) for the sport recognised by the IOC. 

The inaugural Congress marked the beginning of a new era for boxing in Europe, aimed at strengthening and promoting the sport in the region.

The key business of the Congress included the ratification of the Statutes of the new organisation and the election of the President, Vice Presidents, Executive Board and Committee Chairs. The full list of appointments is:

President:

  • Lars Brovil, DEN

Vice Presidents:

  • Marketa Vochoska Handlova, CZE
  • Len Huard, NED
  • Almar Ogmundsson, ISL

Executive Board Members:

  • Nikolina Juric, CRO
  • Kirsi Korpaeus, FIN
  • Istvan Kovocs, HUN
  • Mouloud Bouziane, FRA

Sports and Competition Committee:

  • Martin Volke, GER

Medical and Anti-Doping Committee:

  •  David McDonagh, NOR

Referee and judging (R&J) Committee:

  • Enrico Apa, ITA

The Congress was attended by the President of World Boxing, Boris van der Vorst.  He said: “I would like to extend my congratulations to the newly elected President of European Boxing, Lars Brovil, Vice Presidents Marketa, Len Huard, and Almar Ogmundsson, as well as the Executive Board members and committee chairs. You are taking on a great responsibility and I am confident that under your leadership, boxing in the region will take a significant step forward. “I look forward to a great partnership with European Boxing as we work together to create a sustainable future for Olympic boxing. Thank you for your commitment and thanks also to Czech Boxing Association and its President, Marek Šimák, for their warm welcome and the excellent organization of the Congress in this beautiful city.”

WORLD BOXING WELCOMES DECISION OF IOC EXECUTIVE BOARD TO PROPOSE BOXING FOR INCLUSION AT LA28

World Boxing has welcomed the decision by the Executive Board (EB) of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to propose the inclusion of boxing on the sports programme of the Olympic Games Los Angeles 2028 (LA28), to the 144th Session of the IOC that will take place in Costa Navarino, Greece, this week (19-21 March 2025).  

Provided the IOC Session votes to approve the EB’s proposal when it meets this week, boxing will be restored to the competition programme for LA28.

The President of World Boxing, Boris van der Vorst, said: “This is a very significant and important decision for Olympic boxing and takes the sport one step closer to being restored to the Olympic programme. 

“I have no doubt it will be very positively received by everyone connected with boxing, at every level throughout the world, who understands the critical importance to the future of the sport of boxing continuing to remain a part of the Olympic Movement.

“On behalf of everyone at World Boxing I would like to thank the EB of the IOC for the trust they have placed in our organisation and we hope for a positive outcome when the IOC Session meets this week.

“World Boxing understands that being part of the Olympic Games is a privilege and not a right and I assure the IOC that if boxing is restored to the programme for LA28, that World Boxing is completely committed to being a trustworthy and reliable partner that will adhere to and uphold the values of the Olympic Charter.”

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 26 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.

USA’s Elise Seignolle Elected President at Inaugural Congress of World Boxing’s PanAmerican Confederation

Panama City, PANAMA (March 15, 2025) – Elise Seignolle from USA Boxing has been elected as President of World Boxing’s PanAmerican Boxing Confederation at its inaugural Congress in Panama City.

The Congress marked the beginning of a new era for Pan American boxing with the goal of strengthening and promoting the sport in the region.

The key business on the day included the ratification of the Statutes of the new organisation and the election of the President and Executive Committee. The positions of President and Audit and Finance Committee Chair were elected by acclamation. The full list of appointments is:

President:

  • Elise Seignolle, USA

Vice Presidents:

  • Ryan O’Shea, CAN, 1st Vice President.
  • Tomás Cianca, PAN, 2nd Vice President.

Executive Board Members:

  • Marcos Candido Britos, BRA
  • Kathy Harper, BRB
  • Stephen Jones, JAM
  • Dhany Reyes, HND

Audit and Finance Committee:

  • Amabelis Camaño, PAN, Chair and Treasurer of the Board

Medical and Anti-Doping Committee:

  • Dr. Bernardino Santi, BRA, as Chair

Sport and Competition Committee:

  • Hernán Salvo, ARG, as Chair

Following her election, President Elise Seignolle delivered an emotional speech, emphasizing the importance of unity and collaboration to achieve recognition for Pan American boxing on the global stage.

She said: “Today marks the beginning of a new era for our sport. Together, we will work to ensure that boxing remains a vital part of the Olympic family and to provide more opportunities for our athletes.

“Our diversity is our strength. We are a continent united by a common passion: boxing. And it is through this unity that we will demonstrate to the world that our sport deserves a prominent place on the Olympic stage.”

On the challenges facing the Confederation, she added: “This journey will not be easy, but I am confident that, together, we will overcome any obstacle. Our mission is clear: to guide and inspire the next generation of champions, ensuring their dreams come true on the world’s biggest stage.

“This is just the beginning of a journey that will transform the future of boxing in the Americas.”

Commenting on the inaugural Conferderation and the election of Elise Seignolle, the President of World Boxing, Boris van der Vorst, said: “The inaugural Congress of the PanAmerican Boxing Confederation is a significant milestone for Olympic-style boxing in this important region.

“I would like to wholeheartedly congratulate President Elise Seignolle and all the other elected board members and committee chairs on their election. I look forward to a great partnership with the Pan American Confederation as we work together on our shared mission to create a sustainable future for Olympic boxing. Thank you for your commitment and thank you to the host Panama for organising an excellent Congress.”

Chair of World Boxing’s Olympic Commission, Gennadiy Golovkin, meets with Saudi Boxing Federation in Riyadh

The Chair of World Boxing’s Olympic Commission, Gennadiy Golovkin, and its Acting Secretary General Mike McAtee visited Riyadh last week to meet with representatives of Saudi Boxing Federation.

The meeting brought together key figures, including Saudi Boxing Federation President Abdullah Ahmed Eid Al-Harbi, Nasser Muneer, Director of the Secretary General Office and Hani Ismail, Chief Operating Officer of the Saudi Olympic & Paralympic Committee and NOC Kazakhstan Secretary General Alimzhan Akayev.

The meeting discussed World Boxing’s plans and upcoming activities following the recent decision by the IOC to grant it Olympic recognition. As part of this, the delegation highlighted World Boxing’s commitment to transparency and fair play, with ongoing efforts to improve officiating standards.

Gennadiy Golovkin said: “World Boxing remains focused on its core priorities. Strengthening cooperation with key partners plays an important role in this work, and today’s meeting confirmed that our goals and values are widely shared. As Chair of the World Boxing Olympic Commission, I remain fully committed to our main objective — keeping boxing on the Olympic programme.”

ITA to deliver ‘Clean Sport Education Webinar’ for World Boxing members on 24 March 2025

All World Boxing members – including athletes, coaches, medical personnel, athlete support staff, administrators and parent/guardians – are invited to attend a ‘Clean Sport Education Webinar’ delivered by The International Testing Agency (ITA) at 14:00–15:00 CET on Monday 24 March 2025.

The session will cover key anti-doping principles, practical scenarios, and include a live Q&A with a panellist from the ITA Education Team.

It is designed to inform participants of the key information and actions required to compete clean. The Q&A session will take place at the end of the session, with the entire webinar being delivered in English.

For further information and to register for the webinar, visit: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_pXPlMbACRu-EH_bOwB-gvA#/registration

The session is being delivered by the ITA as part of its agreement to deliver all of World Boxing’s anti-doping services and clean sport activities.

It is open to all World Boxing member athletes and coaches. Individuals in roles such as administrator, medical personnel, athlete support or parent/guardian from member federations can also attend.

World Boxing secures provisional membership of the Association of IOC Recognised International Sports Federations (ARISF)

World Boxing has secured provisional membership of the Association of IOC Recognised International Sports Federations (ARISF).

It follows the recent decision by the IOC (26 February 2025) to grant provisional Olympic recognition to World Boxing and marks an important milestone in the International Federation’s growing role within the Olympic Movement.

The ARISF Executive Board unanimously approved World Boxing’s provisional membership on 10 March 2025.  Final ratification will be decided by the ARISF General Assembly later this year, in accordance with ARISF Statutes.

ARISF President, Dr Raffaele Chiulli, welcomed World Boxing’s inclusion. He said: “World Boxing has demonstrated a strong commitment to integrity, good governance, and the fundamental values of sport. ARISF is delighted to welcome them as a provisional member, and we look forward to supporting their continued growth and contribution to the Olympic Movement.”

The President of World Boxing, Boris van der Vorst, added: “Joining ARISF is a significant moment for World Boxing as we continue to strengthen our position within the Olympic Movement. We are committed to upholding the highest standards of governance and integrity, ensuring the best possible environment to thrive for the future generation of athletes and future champions.”

Since its official launch in April 2023, World Boxing has made significant progress and now has 84-member National Federations across all five continents that participate in boxing.

The rapid growth in membership was cited by the IOC in its decision to grant provisional recognition to World Boxing.  Other factors it identified include:

  • Representation among countries that compete in Olympic boxing and the fact that 62 per cent of the boxers and 58 per cent of the boxing medallists from Paris 2024 are affiliated to National Federations that are members of World Boxing
  • Usage and application of the sports integrity processes, including independent oversight, implemented during the 2024 Olympic Games by the Paris Boxing Unit
  • Membership of AIMS, as approved by the SportAccord Executive Committee and the AIMS General Assembly
  • Significant progress in governance and transparency, which included:
    • Putting in place the structures and documentation for good governance (including the World Boxing Code of Ethics, Conflict of Interest Policy and declaration form, Anti-Corruption Policy, and Finance and Audit Committee Terms of Reference), and demonstrating strong willingness and effort in enhancing and implementing good governance that is compliant with the appropriate standards
    • Providing assurance on the financial stability of the organisation and its revenue generating processes
    • Recognition of the jurisdiction of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS)   
    • A successful application for World Anti-Doping Code Signatory Status, which has been accepted by WADA, and agreeing a contract with the International Testing Agency (ITA) for it to provide all of World Boxing’s anti-doping services and clean sport activities

World Boxing visits Nigeria and Malawi to help drive the development of the sport in Africa

As part of its commitment to developing and growing the sport of boxing in Africa, the President of World Boxing, Boris van der Vorst, recently visited Nigeria where he met with leaders of the Nigerian Boxing Federation and visited boxing clubs and projects in the capital city of Lagos.

Nigeria was the first African nation to join World Boxing and is one of six National Federations from the Continent – along with Algeria, Egypt, Gambia, Madagascar and Malawi – that are members of World Boxing.

As part of his visit, the President outlined World Boxing’s plans for developing boxing in Africa at every level, from the grassroots to the elite, and identified areas of potential collaboration where it can work with National Federations on future funding initiatives to aid the growth of the sport.

He also outlined the critical importance of African nations continuing to be part of the Olympic Movement and how this may impact on their ability to participate at other important future events, such as the 2026 Youth Olympic Games in Senegal and the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Scotland – both of which are vital to development of boxing in Africa.

The President’s trip to Nigeria coincided with a visit to Malawi by a delegation of World Boxing representatives who delivered a presentation to the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA) Zone VI and the Malawi National Olympic Committee on World Boxing’s hopes and plans to grow its representation in Africa.

Both trips were very positively received by their hosts and the President’s visit to Nigeria was covered extensively by local press and broadcast media. 

Examples of this can be viewed online at:

https://www.sports247.ng/world-boxing-federation-president-boris-van-der-vorst-tasks-nigerian-sports-officials-on-hosting-international-events/

https://aljazirahnews.com/world-boxing-president-boris-van-der-vorst-set-to-visit-nigeria/

https://dailytrust.com/world-boxing-president-boris-van-der-vorst-to-visit-nigeria/