Governance

World Boxing is introducing a new equipment licence programme to ensure the highest safety standards for boxers in training and competition.

It means boxing products will now undergo rigorous testing to determine their suitability in World Boxing competitions as well as associated training and sparring sessions.

The screening will include chemical and mechanical testing for boxing gloves and boxing headgear. Boxing equipment that successfully passes the strict testing requirements will receive approved certification status valid for a period of four years, including:

• Certificate of use from World Boxing
• Certification from the testing agency
• Appropriate marks for the equipment manufacturer to show they are an approved manufacturer for specific boxing products
• Approved quality logo for the specific product(s) for marketing and sales.

Products that are approved through the testing procedure will be subject to re-evaluation after four years and will also be randomly assessed throughout their certified period. These measures will ensure that quality standards are upheld consistently after the initial testing process.

The Secretary General of World Boxing, Simon Toulson, said: “The safety and wellbeing of athletes is always at the forefront of everything we do at World Boxing and the new equipment licence programme means that boxers will be able to train and compete at the highest level in the knowledge that the equipment they use is of the highest safety standards.

“This is an important initiative in helping to create a safer environment at every level of the sport.”

The programme offers equipment manufacturers the opportunity to have their products quality verified by an impartial external body and endorsed by World Boxing.

It also grants manufacturers access to tender opportunities for future major boxing competitions where World Boxing’s rules apply or where World Boxing’s stakeholders are responsible for the event. Testing is mandatory for manufacturers who wish to submit their products for use in these events and unlicensed products will not be permitted for use in these environments.

World Boxing has agreed to delegate adjudication on all anti-doping violations to the Anti-Doping Division of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS AAD), a separate entity of the CAS which deals solely with Anti-doping hearings. 

It means that CAS ADD will be the first instance authority to adjudicate on all alleged violations detected by World Boxing’s anti-doping processes and will decide on the appropriate sanction for any breach of the rules.

The agreement with CAS ADD follows the recent announcement that World Boxing has secured a four-year arrangement with the International Testing Agency (ITA) for it to provide all of its anti-doping services and clean sport activities.

Under this arrangement, the ITA will manage World Boxing’s entire programme of in-competition and out-of-competition doping controls, results management, athlete education and the management of Athlete Biological Passports (ABPs) and the processing of Therapeutic Use Exemptions (TUEs).

Any violations detected during the testing process will be passed to CAS ADD who will oversee the adjudication and appeals process. World Boxing has agreed to abide by any decision issued by CAS AAD.

The Secretary General of World Boxing, Simon Toulson, explained: “World Boxing is committed to the highest standards of governance and transparency and having an end-to-end anti-doping process in place that is completely independent of the International Federation demonstrates this.

“By delegating our testing and education programme to the ITA and the adjudication process to CAS ADD, all of our National Federations and their boxers, can be sure that World Boxing is doing everything possible to promote and deliver clean sport and that all activities and decisions in this area are free of interference and subject to independent third-party oversight.”

World Boxing was launched in April 2023 and aims to keep Boxing in the Olympic Games. On 7 May 2024, it held the first formal meeting with the IOC which signaled the start of formal collaboration aimed at establishing a pathway for boxing to remain in the Olympic Games.

World Boxing has secured an agreement with the International Testing Agency (ITA) for it to provide all of its anti-doping services and clean sport activities.

The agreement means that from 1 October 2024, World Boxing has delegated its entire clean sport activities to the ITA with the aim of providing boxers with a high-quality anti-doping program.

The initial 4-year contract between World Boxing and the ITA also includes independent results management for any potential anti-doping rule violations that may arise.

In its efforts to achieve compliance with the World Anti-Doping Code and with the desire to offer its athletes an expert and independent anti-doping program, World Boxing has entrusted the ITA to design and implement a new anti-doping programme as of 1 October 2024, while also supporting the organisation in attaining Code Signatory status.

The ITA will manage the entire testing program for World Boxing, both for in-competition and out-of-competition doping controls. These tests will be based on a bespoke risk assessment that takes into account all relevant factors, including the physiological profile and sporting specificities of boxing.

The management of Athlete Biological Passports (ABPs) of boxing athletes and the processing of Therapeutic Use Exemptions (TUEs) will also be handled by the ITA. In addition, it will strengthen World Boxing’s anti-doping efforts with a long-term sample retention strategy that will allow selected samples to be stored and re-analysed for up to ten years after the date of collection.

In order to provide boxing athletes with the most comprehensive anti-doping program possible, the ITA will complete the World Boxing anti-doping program with intelligence & investigations activities and respond to all information shared confidentially through the ITA’s secure reporting platform REVEAL.

All clean sport activities on behalf of World Boxing will be conducted by the ITA in strict compliance with the World Anti-Doping Code and its International Standards, with the ITA’s dedicated Regulatory Compliance unit ensuring full compliance with the mandatory rules. All potential anti-doping rule violations arising from the anti-doping program will be subject to independent results management by the ITA.

The ITA will also raise awareness of doping, support the values of clean sport, and contribute to the prevention of doping among boxing athletes by establishing an education plan in line with WADA’s International Standard for Education.

“We welcome World Boxing as our newest partner at the ITA,” said ITA Director General Benjamin Cohen. “Our dedicated team remains committed to contribute to the implementation of a robust and trustworthy clean sport program for boxing athletes all over the world as is already the case with ITA’s management of other key boxing tournaments, including all Olympic boxing competitions. With a proven track record of managing anti-doping programs for various combat sports, the ITA is well versed in tailoring strategies to the specific needs of these athletes. We are committed to supporting all athletes with the best independent clean sport measures possible and ensure fair competition in sport.”

The Secretary General of World Boxing, Simon Toulson, added: “World Boxing is committed to sporting integrity and clean sport.  The ITA is a widely respected organisaiton and  having this relationship in place will ensure that World Boxing is able to deliver a comprehenisve program of testing in and out of competition and provide educaton to National Federations and ther boxers on the importance of clean sport.”

World Boxing has launched a new Initial Certification process for Technical Officials to ensure the highest standards of integrity and transparency in officiating at its competitions and tournaments.

The Certification process is based on the practices of the Paris Boxing Unit for Olympic boxing competitions and is open to all active boxing Technical Officials, including Referees & Judges (R&Js) and Ringside Doctors, who have previous international experience. It is designed to identify the candidates with the most appropriate experience and create common standards and working practices to ensure sporting integrity.

Application Process

All active boxing Technical Officials with international experience that wish to officiate at World Boxing events, are eligible to apply for the certification by completing the Initial Certification Questionnaire (Stage 1).

Candidates are advised to complete all applicable sections based on their experience, ensure accuracy and completeness of all provided information to support the certification process and to review responses carefully before submitting to ensure all information is correct and complete as inaccurate information may result in rejection of the application.

The deadline for completion of the questionnaire is 23:59 CET, 15 July 2024. Any applications received after this deadline will not be considered on this occasion.

This questionnaire is the first stage in the Initial Certification process for all Technical Officials. Responses will be carefully evaluated by the World Boxing Sports and Competition Committee to verify qualifications and experience in relevant Technical Official roles.

Candidates that process through the questionnaire will be invited to take online written tests, which will be conducted separately for eligible candidates of the three different groups: R&Js, Ringside Doctors, and all other Technical Official roles.

The results of these tests will determine whether a candidate is granted an Initial Certification by World Boxing.

Any active Technical Officials that do not participate in this process or do not progress beyond the questionnaire will be welcome to enroll in the full certification courses for Technical Official roles that will be offered by World Boxing in future.

Participation in these courses will be mandatory for those who wish to officiate at World Boxing events but have not been certified through the Initial Certification process.

Help & Support

To help address any questions regarding this initial process as well as the future certification courses, two online meetings will be held on 8 July 2024 at 12:00 CET and 21:00 CET to accommodate various time zones. Officials must register in advance to take part in these meetings at the links below:

Registration for Support Meeting 1 on 8 July 2024 @ 12:00 CET

Registration for Support Meeting 2 on 8 July 2024 @ 21:00 CET Any further questions regarding Certification for Technical Officials can be emailed to sport@worldboxing.org.

World Boxing has signed an exclusive agreement with global Nike licensee, Athlete Performance Solutions, for it to supply Nike Boxing sporting apparel and footwear to the International Federation.

The long-term deal will see Nike Boxing provide all of the clothing and footwear worn by officials on the field-of-play at competitions and create a collection of co-branded apparel and products for sale to consumers.

The President of Athlete Performance Solutions, Eddie Brown, said: “This is a milestone moment for our company. We are thrilled to partner with World Boxing at such a pivotal time in the sport’s history.

“This relationship will allow us to work closely with athletes, teams and coaches to create products which maximise the performance of boxers. We look forward to collaborating with World Boxing in their effort to ensure the stability and longevity of the sport of boxing on the international stage, where the incredible athletes in this sport truly belong.”

World Boxing’s Secretary General, Simon Toulson, added: “To secure an agreement with such a highly regarded brand is a major coup for World Boxing, and the sport of boxing, as it shows that globally admired organisations want to work with us and share our values and vision for the future of the sport.

“This agreement will deliver significant benefits for World Boxing.  It is a major endorsement of the massive progress we have made and a sign that World Boxing is continuing to go from strength-to-strength.”

The agreement with Nike Boxing is the second major commercial partnership secured by World Boxing in less than 12 months.  In November 2023 it announced an exclusive, four-year sponsorship deal with the equipment manufacturer, Sting, to provide all the gloves, protective clothing, handwraps and training equipment used by boxers at World Boxing tournaments and competitions.

World Boxing was launched in April 2023 with the aim of ensuring boxing remains at the heart of the Olympic Movement. It held its first meeting with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in May 2024 and plans to work constructively and collaboratively with all boxing stakeholders to develop a pathway that will preserve boxing’s ongoing place on the Olympic competition programme at Los Angeles 2028 and beyond.

Athlete Performance Solutions is a global footwear and apparel licensee of Nike Inc., marketing, distributing, and selling Nike’s pinnacle, performance footwear, competition apparel, and word mark apparel for several sports. Athlete Performance Solutions, has operated as a global licensee for Nike Boxing for over 15 years, actively engages with athletes, federations, and retailers in the sport of boxing around the world.

World Boxing, the new International Federation set-up to ensure boxing remains at the heart of the Olympic Movement, has published its Strategic Plan 2024-28.

The plan was formally approved by World Boxing’s members at its inaugural Congress and details how the organisation will: keep boxing at the heart of the Olympic movement; ensure the interests of boxers are put first; deliver sporting integrity and fair competitions; create a competition structure designed in the best interests of the boxers and operate according to strong governance standards and transparent financial management.

The plan is built around the delivery of five strategic objectives and sets out a series of action plans detailing how it will:

• Establish World Boxing as a recognised credible organisation
• Operate best practice governance
• Deliver world standard competitions
• Increase the worldwide media exposure of boxing
• Achieve financial stability and sustainability 

It contains sections on World Boxing as a business, the core business product of boxing and details the vision, mission and values of World Boxing.

Simon Toulson, Secretary General, World Boxing, said: “Since it was publicly launched in April 2023 World Boxing has achieved an enormous amount in a short time. It has established itself as a credible international sports organisation with nearly 30 member National Federations from all five Continents and staged its inaugural Congress in which it held open, transparent and fair elections that mean World Boxing now has a high-quality Executive Board with many years of boxing experience.

“The Strategy sets out a roadmap for how World Boxing will build on this and deliver on its central goals of ensuring its creates a better future for the sport and ensures boxing remains at the heart of the Olympic Movement.”

World Boxing’s Strategic Plan 2024-28 can be viewed here.

Canada’s Tammara Thibeault and Caitlin Parker from Australia have joined World Boxing’s Athlete Committee after their nominations were approved at a recent meeting of its Executive Board.

The pair, who both competed at the 2020 Olympic Games and have qualified for Paris 2024, join Athlete Representatives, Lauren Price and Richard Torrez Jr, who sit on World Boxing’s Executive Board, to form a cohort of boxers that will strengthen the athlete focus of the organisation.

The Athletes Committee is responsible for representing the views of boxers worldwide and providing advice, guidance and opinions to World Boxing.  The members of the Athletes Committee are regularly consulted on relevant matters to ensure the views of boxers are reflected in World Boxing’s decision making. They also represent the organisation publicly and are invited to attend and contribute to meetings of the Executive Board and the World Boxing Congress.

The two new additions to the Athletes Committee both compete at middleweight (75kg) and have previously boxed each other, most recently in the semi-final of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games when the Canadian edged the bout and went on to take gold. 

Tammara Thibeault is also the current 2023 Pan-American Games champion and won gold at the 2022 world championships in Istanbul.  In addition to her bronze from Birmingham, Caitlin Parker, won a silver medal at the 2018 Commonwealth Games and a bronze at the 2014 Youth Olympics. 

Tammara Thibeault said: “I am honoured to be a part of World Boxing’s future and thrilled to have the opportunity to contribute to the effort to keeping Olympic boxing in the Games. As we manage this significant shift in our sport’s leadership, it is up to athletes like us to speak for future generations. In this new chapter of amateur boxing history, I am dedicated to bringing about change through integrity and excellence.”  

Caitlin Parker added: “I am looking forward to positively contributing to the future of World Boxing, as we work together to secure boxing as part of the Olympic programme.”

Both boxers were approved as members of the Athlete Committee at the most recent meeting of the World Boxing Executive Board on 26 February 2024.

The Executive Board meeting made decisions on a wide range of measures to enable the organisation to build on the success it has achieved since it was publicly launched in April 2023. They included:

• World Boxing’s Strategic Plan 2024-2028 was formally approved.  This will be published shortly on the World Boxing website
• The approval of World Boxing’s new Competition Rules which will be published shortly on the World Boxing website
• The new certification process for Referees and Judges (R and J’s) was formally approved and will be rolled-out amongst National Federation from March 2024 onwards
• It was confirmed that the next World Boxing Cup event will be in the USA in April 2024 and that discussions are at an advanced stage with a member country to host the season finale of this competition in November or December 2024
• An update was provided on recent meetings hosted by members of the Executive Board with key sporting stakeholders in Lausanne
• A series of decisions were made in relation to key committees:
  • Boxing Scotland board member, Daryl Broadfoot, was added to the Marketing and Commercial Development Commission
  • The Sports and Competition Committee was given the go ahead to create two sub-commissions, a Technical Commission and a Coaches Commission, for which member National Federation will be asked to submit suitable candidates
  • The composition of the Continental Confederation Commission was approved by the Executive Board
  • The Medical and Anti-Doping Committee committed to hold a face-to-face meeting at the next World Boxing Cup event in the USA
  • The Finance Committee outlined the financial planning and auditing process

Boris van der Vorst, President of World Boxing said: “Ensuring the views of athletes are at the centre of decision making is core to World Boxing’s way of working and it is fantastic that we have been able to attract two such high calibre candidates as Tammara and Caitlin to join the organisation.  They have both achieved a great deal, inside and outside of the ring, and I am sure they will make a fantastic contribution to the future development of World Boxing.

“As the outputs from Executive Board meeting demonstrate World Boxing continues to make excellent progress across all aspects of its operations, including competition delivery, officiating, commercial activities and continuing to enhance the infrastructure of our organisation.  

“We have come a long way in a very short space of time and I have no doubt, that with the ongoing support of our colleagues and our members, World Boxing will continue to go from strength-to-strength as we work towards our goal of ensuring boxing remains at the heart of the Olympic Movement.” 

World Boxing was launched in April 2023 and aims to ensure that boxing remains at the heart of the Olympic movement.  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.

27 National Federations, covering every continent that participates in Olympic-style boxing are members of World Boxing.  The first cohort was made-up of USA Boxing, New Zealand Boxing, Boxing Australia, GB Boxing, England Boxing and the Dutch Boxing Federation.  They were joined in August 2023 by the National Federations for boxing in Canada, Brazil, Argentina, Germany, Honduras and Sweden.  The next two groups to join included Denmark, Mongolia, Panama, French Polynesia, Finland, Iceland, Jamaica, Nigeria, Norway and the Czech Republic.  The most recent cohort of members in October 2023 was comprised of Philippines, Scotland, Wales, Suriname and the US Virgin Islands.