Olympics

World Boxing welcomes decision by IOC to include boxing at LA28

World Boxing has welcomed the decision by the 144th Session of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to include boxing on the sports programme of the Olympic Games Los Angeles 2028 (LA28).

The decision follows the recent decision by the Executive Board of the IOC to grant World Boxing provisional recognition as the International Federation (IF) within the Olympic Movement governing the sport of boxing at world level.

The two decisions mean that World Boxing will be the IF responsible for organising the qualification pathway and the boxing tournament at LA28.

Welcoming the news that boxing would be included at LA28, the President of World Boxing, Boris van der Vorst, said: “This is great day for boxers, boxing and everyone connected with our sport, at every level, across the world.

“This outcome has been achieved by a massive team effort by a huge number of people in every part of the world and would not have been possible without the hard work and commitment of all of the National Federations, boxers, coaches, officials and boxing leaders that have worked together to enable this to happen. I would like to personally thank each and every one of them for their support and determination to ensure boxing remains at the heart of the Olympic Movement.

“World Boxing is very grateful to the IOC for the faith they have placed in our organisation by restoring boxing to the programme for LA2028, and I can reassure them that we will do everything in our power to ensure that we operate to the highest standards of governance and transparency and deliver sporting integrity.

“World Boxing understands that being part of the Olympic Games is a privilege and not a right and we are determined to be a trustworthy and reliable partner that will adhere to and uphold the values of the Olympic Movement.

“There is still a lot of work to do, and everyone at World Boxing is committed to continuing to work together and doing everything within our power to deliver a better future for our boxers and for our sport.”

The Chair of World Boxing’s Olympic Commission, Gennadiy Golovkin, who secured a silver medal at the Athens Olympics in 2004 before going on to win the middleweight world title on two occasions, added: “The IOC decision to include boxing in the Los Angeles Olympics is a long-awaited result of the focused efforts and work of World Boxing and our entire Olympic Commission. This means that we have managed to preserve the dream that inspires thousands of athletes around the world. As an Olympian, I understand how important this is for future generations of champions. The Olympic Games are not just competitions, they are a symbol of hope, striving for excellence and an opportunity to show the world what you are capable of.

“Step by step, we did everything to preserve boxing with its rich history and traditions in the Olympic program, so that every young athlete would have the opportunity to one day stand on the Olympic podium under the flag of their country.

“I realize what a great responsibility lies with us, and I understand that there is still a lot of work to do. World Boxing intends to continue working on maximum transparency in matters of fair judging, the selection of athletes for the upcoming Games and the creation of an objective evaluation system.”

The news was greeted with delight by other leading figures from across the sport of boxing.

Ukrainian legend, Wladimir Klitschko, who is the longest reigning heavyweight champion in history and won gold at Atlanta 1996, said: “This is absolutely fantastic news.  Winning Olympic gold was one of the biggest highlights of my career and I would hate to see that opportunity get taken away from future generations. 

“The Olympic Games is so important to our sport and to have not been part of it would have been a disaster for boxing and boxers everywhere from the grassroots to the professionals.

“This is another great comeback story for boxing.  It has been a long hard battle, but the right decision has been reached in the end I would like to personally thank and congratulate everyone connected with World Boxing for the work they have done to save boxing as an Olympic sport.” 

Cindy Ngamba, who was the first refugee in history to win an Olympic medal, when she won Middleweight bronze at Paris 2024, added: “This is a massive step for the boxing community. The uncertainty around our sport’s Olympic future has been tough, but this decision means everything to the athletes.

“As someone who had the honour of representing the Refugee Team, I know firsthand how much the Olympics represents hope and opportunity. It’s not just about medals—it is about giving fighters from all backgrounds a platform to showcase their talent. I look forward to seeing boxing on the Olympic programme at LA28.”

Richard Torrez Jr, who won a silver medal for Team USA at Tokyo 2020 before turning professional and now sits on the board of World Boxing as an Athlete Representative, said: “World Boxing securing boxing in the LA 2028 Olympics will bring the boxing community together like never before.

“This is a great accomplishment and is a true testament that the Olympics are better with boxing in them than without. This will inspire generations of boxers to achieve their lifelong dream of winning gold.”

World Boxing’s other Athlete Representative, Tokyo 2020 gold medallist and current WBC, WBA, IBO and The Ring Welterweight World Champion, Lauren Price, commented: “Competing at the Olympic Games was always my dream and nothing I achieve in my professional career will ever top the achievement of winning gold at Tokyo 2020.

“It is what inspired me to take up the sport in the first place and has given me a platform that means I am now able to enjoy a successful career as a professional boxer.  Restoring boxing for LA28 means that other boxers can continue to do the same and keeps the Olympic dream alive. It is fantastic news for boxers, boxing and the Olympic Movement.”

Australia’s Caitlin Parker, who won a bronze medal at Paris 2024 and is part of World Boxing’s Athlete Committee added: “The Olympic Games is the absolute pinnacle of our sport and there is no greater honour then to represent your country at the highest level. To have clarity around LA28 allows us to plan to the minute and build through major events like the World Boxing Championships and the Commonwealth Games in 2026.”

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 IF within the Olympic Movement governing the sport of boxing at world level.

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.

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 RESPONDS TO THE DECISION BY THE EXECUTIVE BOARD OF THE IOC TO GRANT PROVISIONAL OLYMPIC RECOGNITION

World Boxing has welcomed the decision by the Executive Board of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to grant it provisional recognition as the International Federation (IF) within the Olympic Movement governing the sport of boxing at world level.

Following the announcement today (26 February 2025), the President of World Boxing, Boris van der Vorst, said: “This is a very significant day for everyone connected with the sport of boxing in the Olympic Movement. Keeping its place at the Olympic Games is absolutely critical to the future of our sport at every level, from the grassroots to the highest echelons of professional boxing, and this decision by the IOC takes us one step closer to our objective of seeing boxing restored to the Olympic programme.

“It has taken a huge team effort from a large number of people across the globe to get to this point and none of it would have been possible without the hard work and commitment of all of the National Federations, boxers, coaches, officials and boxing leaders that have worked together to make this possible. 

“Today’s decision by the IOC is an important milestone, however everyone connected with World Boxing understands that being part of the Olympic Movement is a privilege and a responsibility and not a right. There is still a lot of work to do, and everyone is as committed as ever to continuing to work together and doing everything within our power to deliver a better future for our sport and ensuring that boxing remains at heart of the Olympic Movement.”

The IOC’s decision was also welcomed by the former two-time unified world middleweight champion, Gennadiy Golovkin, who is the Chair of World Boxing’s Olympic Commission and the President of the National Olympic Committee of the Republic of Kazakhstan. World Boxing’s Olympic Commission was established in September 2024, to liaise with the IOC and support and assist the process of developing a pathway to ensuring that boxing is restored to the Games.

Speaking after today’s announcement by the IOC, Gennadiy Golovkin, who won a silver medal at the Athens Olympics in 2004, said: “Receiving provisional Olympic recognition from the IOC is an important achievement and demonstrates that our sport is on the right path. This decision brings us one step closer to our main goal – preserving boxing at the Olympic Games.

“I am pleased that through the continuous efforts of all the people who support World Boxing, we have managed to achieve this result. Establishing an international federation built on the principles of integrity and fairness is our shared mission for the future generation of athletes and future champions. There is still a lot to do to achieve all the goals set, so we will not stop here.”

The news was warmly received by a number of boxers that won Olympic medals in Paris and Tokyo.

Cindy Ngamba, who was the first refugee in history to win an Olympic medal, when she won Middleweight bronze at Paris 2024, added: “Having the opportunity to compete for the Refugee Team at Paris 2024 has transformed my career and my life and shows how important it is that boxers continue to have the opportunity to take part in the Olympic Games. 

“The thought of being able to compete at the Olympics was one of the things that kept me going in difficult times and inspired me to pursue a career in boxing.  It would be hugely damaging to the careers of male and female boxers across the world if this opportunity did not exist for them, so the decision by the IOC to provisionally recognise World Boxing is really good news for the sport as it keeps the Olympic dream alive.”

Richard Torrez Jr, who won a Super-heavyweight silver medal for the USA at Tokyo 2020 before turning professional with Top Rank, said: “It is impressive to see the continuous progress that World Boxing has made as an international federation in such a short time. Provisional recognition by the IOC is a very positive step and will enable the organisation to continue to provide a platform for boxers from across the globe to compete and hone their skills at the highest international levels. It is great to see this progress and I am confident that the organization is moving in the right direction.”

Tokyo 2020 gold medallist and current WBA, IBO and The Ring Welterweight World Champion, Lauren Price, who is also an Athlete Representative on the Executive Board of World Boxing commented: “It was always my dream to compete at the Olympic Games and nothing I achieve in my professional career will ever top the achievement of winning gold at Tokyo 2020.

“Competing and winning gold at the Olympics Games provided me with a platform that is enabling me to enjoy a successful career as a professional boxer. For up-and-coming boxers to be denied this opportunity would be damaging for their careers and the sport as a whole.

“World Boxing has consistently fought to ensure that boxers can continue to have the chance to compete on the highest stage in sport at the Olympic Games and it is very positive to hear that the IOC has decided to provisionally recognise World Boxing.

“Hopefully this will be the first step toward seeing boxing restored to the Olympic programme which will be a massive boost for the sport and the hopes and dreams of male and female boxers at all levels across the world.”

Gennadiy Golovkin Addresses PanAm Sports General Assembly on the Current Situation of World Boxing

Asunción, Paraguay – October 3, 2024 – Gennadiy Golovkin, Chairman of the World Boxing Olympic Commission, delivered a pivotal presentation today at the PanAm Sports General Assembly, addressing the current state of World Boxing and the sport’s path forward. His presentation was supported by Hernán Salvo, Chair of the Sports Committee, and Mike McAtee, Secretary of the World Boxing Olympic Commission.

In his first appearance as Chairman, Golovkin emphasized the importance of preserving boxing’s place in the Olympic Games and underscored the challenges and opportunities the sport faces. He expressed his commitment to ensuring the sport remains a key part of the Olympic program for future generations.

Following Golovkin’s introduction, Hernán Salvo provided an in-depth update on the current situation of World Boxing, while Mike McAtee shared detailed plans for addressing the ongoing reviews of certain member nations and strengthening the organization’s governance.

Commission highlighted the 48 member countries currently part of World Boxing, with 10 nations under review. 15 National Federations of Americas are in membership of World Boxing today. They praised the recent success of American boxing at the Paris Olympics, where athletes from the Americas secured 9 historic medals—one of the highest medals counts for the region. Athletes from seven National Olympic Committees (NOCs) from the Americas contributed to this achievement.

“Our goal is to strengthen and support Olympic boxing, ensuring it continues to inspire athletes worldwide,” Golovkin stated during the assembly. “Together, we can safeguard the future of our sport.”

The presentation concluded with a message of unity and dedication toward preserving boxing’s legacy in the Olympic Games.

President of the National Olympic Committee of Kazakhstan Gennadiy Golovkin appointed Chair of new Olympic Commission by World Boxing

The President of the National Olympic Committee of Kazakhstan and 2004 Olympic silver medallist and two-time middleweight world champion, Gennadiy Golovkin, has been appointed Chair of a new Olympic Commission by World Boxing, the International Federation established to ensure boxing remains at the heart of the Olympic Movement.

As Chair of the new Commission, Golovkin will work closely with World Boxing’s leadership to manage the organisation’s relationship with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and oversee the pathway to ensuring that boxing is restored to the sport programme for the Los Angeles 2028 Games.

Other members of the Commission will be added in the coming weeks to ensure it is diverse and representative of the global boxing community.

Launched in April 2023, World Boxing currently has 44 National Federations as members and held its first formal meeting with the IOC in May 2024. 

The main areas of focus of the new Olympic Commission, in developing a pathway for boxing to be restored to the Olympic programme, will be:

  • World Boxing promotion
  • Membership and recruitment
  • Financial sustainability
  • Support the IOC process for recognition of World Boxing

After a hugely successful boxing career, which saw him win a silver medal at the Athens Olympics in 2004 and the middleweight world title twice in a professional career made-up of 42 wins, two losses and a draw, Golovkin was appointed the President of Kazakhstan’s National Olympic Committee in 2024.

In this role he expects the National Federation for boxing in Kazakhstan to lead by example as a full member of World Boxing.

On his appointment as Chair of World Boxing’s Olympic Commission, Golovkin said: “For me personally, as well as for all the sports world, it is important to preserve boxing as an Olympic sport, and this will be my top priority. I also intend to work closely with the IOC on issues of boxing’s commitment to the Olympic values ​​of honesty, fairness and transparency.

“I am confident that my experience as a professional athlete will help build systemic work within World Boxing, and through joint efforts we will be able to give boxing a new impetus to its development, but there is still much to be done.”

The President of World Boxing, Boris van der Vorst, added: “Gennadiy is one of the most globally significant boxers of the last decade and to have him supporting our cause and using his experience, expertise and profile to work on behalf of World Boxing is a significant boost for our organisation.

“As someone that had a hugely successful career in both Olympic-style and professional boxing, Gennadiy has a deep knowledge of the sport and completely understands why continuing to be part of the Olympic Movement is so vital to the ongoing success of boxing at every level, from the grassroots to the professional ranks.

“Gennadiy will be a huge asset to our organisation and I look forward to working closely with him in delivering our mission to ensure boxing remains at the heart of the Olympic Movement.”

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.

STATEMENT

Following the completion of the boxing tournament at Paris 2024, the President of World Boxing, Boris van der Vorst, said:

“The last 14 days of action at Paris 2024 have once again shown why boxing is such a central and important part of the Olympic Movement.

“The high-quality competition has produced a series of memorable bouts featuring 248 men and women from 69 countries across the world.

“It has shown why the Olympic Games is so important to boxing and why the sport is one of the most effective in delivering the values of the Olympic charter as shown by the diversity of the athlete cohort and the number of countries taking part and winning medals. Boxing truly is a global sport in which all countries have the opportunity to compete and a chance of Olympic glory.

“After such a fantastic and hard-fought competition, I would like to congratulate every boxer that has competed in Paris and especially the 52 men and women, from 30 countries plus the Refugee Olympic Team, that have won a medal.

“I would also like to thank the Paris Boxing Unit (PBU) for delivering the competition and the qualification campaign and congratulate them on the fantastic staging of the event.

“The North Paris Arena and Roland Garros have been superb venues and both have enjoyed noisy sell-out crowds that have provided a brilliant platform to showcase the skills, determination and courage of the boxers.

“The energy, passion and emotions seen during this tournament have shown that this is the absolute pinnacle for boxers and it would be a tragedy if Paris 2024 turned out to be the last time ever that boxing appeared on the Olympic programme.

“It would be devastating for everyone connected with the sport at all levels and in every part of the world. Fewer people will come into the sport at the grassroots and there will be less opportunities for boxers at the elite levels of both amateur and professional boxing. It would be a disaster that we cannot allow to happen.

“Since it expelled the previous international federation, the IOC has made it abundantly clear that the only way that boxing will be restored to the programme for Los Angeles 2028 is if it has a trusted and reliable International Federation (IF) to work with that has support of the National Federations (NFs).

“World Boxing is that IF. And we are committed to creating a sustainable and inclusive sporting structure – underpinned by strong governance and transparent financial management – where all boxers can compete and excel knowing that the integrity of the sport is guaranteed and competition is fair.

“Coming into the Games, World Boxing was established as a credible organisation with 37 member NFs covering every Continent that participates in boxing. 

“In the course of the tournament we have received several completed membership applications from NFs to join World Boxing and, following my conversations with numerous boxing leaders from across the world over the last two weeks in Paris, I am very confident that we will soon have more than 50 members, as the leaders of many NFs have assured me that they will apply to join World Boxing once this tournament is completed.

“We are also delivering a calendar of high-quality competitions. In September we will hold our first event in Asia when the World Boxing Cup takes place in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia and in October and November we will host our first global World Boxing Championships, when the U19 World Championships get underway in Colorado, USA.

“Crucially World Boxing has established relations with the IOC, following a meeting in May 2024, and World Boxing has developed a pathway to ensuring that boxing is restored to the programme of the Olympic Games Los Angeles 2028.

“This pathway is dependent upon NFs, and the IOC has made it clear that any country that wants to see their boxers have the opportunity to compete at a future Olympic Games needs to take immediate steps to join World Boxing. 

“This is the only course of action that will ensure that Paris 2024 is not the last time we see boxing at the Olympic Games. We cannot allow boxing to exit the Olympic stage, and I invite every NF that cares about their boxers and the future of the sport to take immediate steps to join World Boxing now and work with us to deliver a better future for the sport and ensure that boxing continues to remain at the heart of the Olympic Movement.”

World Boxing meets the International Olympic Committee to start Olympic Journey

World Boxing reached an important milestone in its development by attending its first formal meeting with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) with the goal to ensure boxing is in the Olympic Games for LA28. 

Monday’s meeting in Lausanne, Switzerland at the Olympic House, headquarters of the IOC, between the key figures from the IOC and World Boxing addressed the pathway for the future of boxing at the Olympic Games. 

As of today, boxing is not on the Olympic Programme for LA 28 which is an alarming fact for all involved in boxing. During the meeting the IOC clearly indicated that the new International Federation had to be supported by a global body of National Federations and the new International Federation had to show evidence of proper governance and leadership for the sport for the IOC to consider to put boxing back on the Olympic programme of LA28. 

Currently World Boxing is the only suitable International Federation to fulfil this mandate and is grateful to the IOC for starting a formal dialogue and outlining a future pathway to keep the sport in the Olympic Games. 

Boris van der Vorst, World Boxing President stated after the meeting, “Once again, we thank the IOC for their commitment and perseverance with boxing in the Olympic Games having run two Olympic editions themselves. Now it is time for World Boxing and National Federations to learn from their best practices and applied ethical principles.” 

“It is clearly imperative that those boxing nations interested to compete in the Olympic Games in the future need to show urgently their intent and commitment to the Olympic Games by joining World Boxing and retaining boxing at the Olympic Games. Otherwise, the loss of boxing’s Olympic status would be our worst nightmare.” 

World Boxing was launched in April 2023. 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. In November 2023, World Boxing held its inaugural Congress in Frankfurt where it conducted open, transparent and fair elections which saw members vote to elect a President and Executive Board.