Press Release

World Boxing seeks to appoint full-time Secretary General

World Boxing is seeking to appoint a full-time Secretary General to support its continued growth and development and oversee the operational management of the organisation, which is the International Federation within the Olympic Movement with responsibility for governing boxing at world level.

The Secretary General will work with the President and Executive Board of World Boxing to support the growth and development of both the organisation and the sport of Olympic-style boxing, manage relationships with key stakeholders and have responsibility for all day-to-day operations.

The role will be based at World Boxing’s headquarters in Lausanne and specific responsibilities will cover:

  • Providing strategic leadership and overseeing governance
  • Operational management and deployment of organisational resources
  • Management of relationships with a wide range of stakeholders and representing World Boxing at key international forums, including the International Olympic Committee (IOC), other International Federations (IFs), and governmental bodies
  • Legal and ethical oversight

The full job description and details of how to apply are available here.

The closing date for applications is 23:59 CET Sunday 13 July 2025.

World Boxing is committed to fairness and equity and values diversity in all its dealings. It welcomes applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates irrespective of age, disability, sex, race, religion or sexual orientation.

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. It currently has 111 member National Federations representing all five Continents that compete in Olympic style boxing.

World Boxing approves five new membership applications from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Indonesia, Romania and Trinidad & Tobago

The Executive Board of World Boxing has approved five more applications from boxing National Federations to increase its membership to 111 countries.

The five new members are the Bosnia and Herzegovina Boxing Federation, the National Boxing Federation of Georgia, the Indonesia Boxing Federation, the Romania Boxing Federation and the Trinidad & Tobago Boxing Association.

All of the new National Federations have completed a rigorous application process to join World Boxing. They are deemed to be in good standing and, through their statutes and operating processes, able to demonstrate a transparent and open election process, the existence and operation of WADA-recognised anti-doping polices and processes, evidence of independent, structured, dispute resolution and appeals processes, formal recognition by either their National Olympic Committee (NOC) or Ministry for Sport and a solid national and international boxing programme.

The President of World Boxing, Boris van der Vorst, said: “We are delighted to welcome five new National Federations to our growing membership. This is further evidence of the momentum behind World Boxing as we approach key milestones in the organisation’s journey.

“These nations are now eligible for the inaugural World Boxing Championships in September, followed by the World Boxing Cup Finals and our third Congress in November. These events will cap off a significant year for World Boxing after we received recognition as the International Federation of for Olympic boxing in March 2025.”

A full list of the 111 National Federations that are members of World Boxing can be viewed HERE.

Under World Boxing’s Statutes, the approval of the Executive Board means the five new National Federations have been endorsed for membership.  Final approval of membership status can only be conferred by Congress, which is the ultimate authority of World Boxing, and will be voted on at its next Congress which is scheduled to take place in New Delhi in November 2025.

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.

Further information on World Boxing is available at www.worldboxing.org.

World Boxing becomes Associate Member of ASOIF

World Boxing has been admitted as an Associate Member of The Association of Summer Olympic International Federations (ASOIF) following its recent recognition as the International Federation for Olympic Boxing.

The decision was taken at the 49th ASOIF General Assembly, in Lausanne, Switzerland, on 11 June 2025. It follows the IOC’s approval of the inclusion of boxing on the LA28 Olympic programme earlier this year.

World Boxing President, Boris van der Vorst, said: “It is an honour for World Boxing to be admitted into ASOIF.  World Boxing was established to ensure that boxing continues to have an Olympic future and we are committed to being a supportive partner and working with our colleagues at ASOIF to uphold the highest standards of governance.

“This decision further cements the role of boxing within the Olympic Movement and means that every boxer in every gym around the world can continue to have the dream of one day competing on the biggest stage in sport at the 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 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 to introduce mandatory sex testing for all boxers that want to participate in its competitions*

World Boxing will introduce mandatory sex testing, to determine the eligibility of male and female athletes that want to take part in its competitions. The introduction of mandatory testing will be part of a new policy on “Sex, Age and Weight” to ensure the safety of all participants and deliver a competitive level playing field for men and women. 

The policy is in the final stages of development and has been crafted by a specially convened Working Group of the World Boxing Medical and Anti-Doping Committee, which has examined data and medical evidence from an extensive range of sources and consulted widely with other sports and experts across the world.

World Boxing’s new polcy and the introducition of testing will mean that all athletes over the age of 18 that want to participate in a World Boxing owned or sanctioned competition will need to undergo a PCR (polymerase chain reaction) genetic test to determine their sex at birth and their eligibility to compete.

The PCR test is a laboratory technique used to detect specific genetic material, in this case the SRY gene, that reveals the presence of the Y chromosome, which is an indicator of biological sex. The test can be a be conducted by nasal/mouth swab, saliva or blood.

Athletes that are deemed to be male at birth, as evidenced by the presence of Y chromosome genetic material (the SRY gene) or with a difference of sexual development (DSD) where male androgenization occurs, will be eligible to compete in the male category.

Athletes that are deemed to be female at birth, as evidenced by the presence of XX chromosomes or the absence of Y chromosome genetic material (the SRY gene) or with a DSD where male androgenization does not occur, will be eligible to compete in the female category.

World Boxing respects the dignity of all individuals and its overriding priority is to ensure safety and competitive fairness to all athletes. To do this, it is essential that strict categories, determined by sex are maintained and enforced, and means that World Boxing will only operate competitions for athletes categorised as male or female.

Under the new policy, National Federations will be responsible for testing and will be required to confirm the sex of their athletes when entering them into World Boxing competitions by providing a certification of their chromosomal sex, as determined by a PCR test.

A failure to provide certification of the chromosomal sex of an athlete or the provision of a false certification, will render the athlete ineligible to compete and may lead to sanctions against the athlete and/or the athlete’s National Federation.

Where test results for boxers that want to compete in the female category reveal Y chromosome genetic material and a potential DSD, the initial screenings will be referred to independent clinical specialists for genetic screening, hormonal profiles, anatomical examination or other valuation of endocrine profiles by medical specialists.

As part of its new policy World Boxing will reserve the right to do genetic sex screening on new or existing athlete samples to confirm certification.

The policy will include an appeals process.  Support will be offered to any boxers that provide an adverse test result.

The new “Sex, Age and Weight” policy will come into force from in July 2025.

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.  On 20 March 2025, the IOC confirmed that boxing has been restored to the sport programme for LA28.

Further information on World Boxing is available at www.worldboxing.org.

* This statement was updated on 6 June 2025.

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 

Approval of 17 new applications sees membership of World Boxing surpass 100 National Federations

World Boxing has surpassed the landmark of 100 members after its Executive Board approved the applications of 17 National Federations, to take its total to 106 countries.

The latest cohort of countries to join World Boxing features some of the most famous and successful countries in Olympic-style boxing and includes Cuba, which has won 41 gold medals in the ring in 16 Games since it first competed at Rome 1960. Cuba is joined by Ireland, where boxing is by far the country’s most successful Olympic sport and accounts for 19 of the 42 medals it has won since 1924.

It means that (with the exception of Russia and the Soviet Union) World Boxing’s membership now includes the 10 most successful countries of all time in Olympic boxing and 10 of the top 11 medal winning countries from Paris 2024.

The full list of the National Federations that have had their applications approved is is:

  1. Afghanistan National Boxing Federation
  2. Austrian Boxing Federation
  3. The Boxing Federation of Azerbaijan
  4. Chilean Boxing Federation
  5. Columbia Boxing Federation
  6. Cuban Boxing Federation
  7. Irish Athletic Boxing Association
  8. Hong Kong Boxing Federation
  9. Lebanese Boxing Federation
  10. Federacion Mexicana De Boxeo
  11. Macao Boxing Federation
  12. Mauritius Boxing Federation
  13. Royal Spanish Boxing Federation
  14. Saudi Boxing Federation
  15. Uganda Boxing Federation
  16. United Arab Emirates Boxing Federation
  17. Venezuela Boxing Federation

The 17 National Federations that have had their applications approved are eligible to enter teams into the World Boxing Championships 2025 in Liverpool, 4-14 September 2025.

The President of World Boxing, Boris van der Vorst, said: “To have surpassed the landmark of 100 National Federations in just over two years is a massive achievement and I would like to thank all of my colleagues and every one of our members for their support and their commitment to ensuring that boxing remains at the heart of the Olympic Movement.

“Our membership includes the vast majority of the world’s most successful countries in Olympic boxing.  To be able to announce a name like Cuba, which is synonomous with Olympic boxing, at the same time as a country like Saudi Arabia, that has huge ambitions within the sport, is a resounding endorsement of World Boxing and clear evidence of the confidence that National Federations across the globe have in our ability to develop and grow the sport at all levels.”

The Chief Executive of the Saudi Boxing Federation, Mansour Naif Alsharif, added: “Joining World Boxing marks, a significant step in Saudi Arabia’s journey to elevate boxing nationally and internationally. We are committed to the Olympic movement and believe this partnership will help develop our athletes, align with global standards, and position the Kingdom as a rising force in the sport.”

The Chair of the IABA Board of Directors, Niall O’Carroll, commented: This is a watershed moment for Irish Boxing. Every kid in every boxing club in the Association deserves the Olympic dream – and their clubs have made sure that dream can live on, to LA 2028 and beyond, by voting to join World Boxing. Irish Boxing has always valued our Olympic journey – from our first team of 9 boxers at Paris 1924, to winning 19 medals over the last 100 years and maintaining our standing as Team Ireland’s most successful Olympic sport. We have more Olympic podiums to climb, and more medals to win. Our joining of World Boxing today ensures that.”

All of the new National Federations have completed a rigorous application process to join World Boxing. They are deemed to be in good standing and, through their statutes and operating processes, able to demonstrate a transparent and open election process, the existence and operation of WADA-recognised anti-doping polices and processes, evidence of independent, structured, dispute resolution and appeals processes, formal recognition by either their National Olympic Committee (NOC) or Ministry for Sport and a solid national and international boxing programme.

Under World Boxing’s Statutes, the approval of the Executive Board means the17 new National Federations have been endorsed for membership.  Final approval of membership status can only be conferred by Congress, which is the ultimate authority of World Boxing, and will be voted on at its next Congress which is scheduled to take place in New Delhi in November 2025.

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.  On 20 March 2025, the IOC confirmed that boxing has been restored to the sport programme for LA28.

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