Press Release

Membership of World Boxing rises to 51 National Federations after it approves applications from seven more countries

World Boxing, the International Federation established to ensure boxing remains at the heart of the Olympic Movement, now has 51 members after it approved seven new applications from the National Federations for boxing in Andorra, Belgium, Iraq, Lithuania, Madagascar, Kyrgyzstan and Thailand. 

All of the applications have been approved by World Boxing’s Executive Board and significantly enhance its global footprint. Madagascar is the third African nation to join after Nigeria and Algeria. Iraq is the second Arabic country to become a member.

The addition of the Thailand Boxing Association, whose President Mr. Pichai Chunhavajira has been the President of the Asian Boxing Confederation since March 2022, boosts World Boxing’s influence in the region, where it now has 11 members including India, Japan, Bhutan, Chinese Taipei, South Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Pakistan, Philippines and Singapore. 

The announcement of the seven new members comes in the same week that World Boxing is staging its first global championships, the U19 World Boxing Championships, at the Pueblo Convention Centre in Colorado USA, 26 October – 2 November 2024. 

The Championships will be followed on Sunday 3 November 2024 by World Boxing’s second annual Congress. 

All seven 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 for the appointment of office bearing roles 
  • The existence and operation of WADA-recognised anti-doping polices and processes 
  • Evidence of a structured, dispute resolution and appeals process that is either fully independent or subject to external input 
  • Formal recognition by either their National Olympic Committee (NOC) or Ministry for Sport 
  • A solid national and international boxing sports programme 

The President of World Boxing, Boris van der Vorst, said: “To have surpassed the milestone of 50 members is hugely significant for World Boxing and conclusive proof of both the desire for change that exists in international boxing and the widespread acknowledgement by so many National Federations that boxing has to continue to be part of the Olympic Games. 

“I would like to thank all of my colleagues and the other boxing leaders across the world that have worked together with us to reach this significant point in the evolution of World Boxing and I look forward to working with other National Federations as we continue to grow our membership further.

“The momentum is building and I look forward to announcing more members in the near future as we are continuing to process applications from more and more countries who recognise that joining World Boxing and is the only way of ensuring that their boxers will be able to pursue their dreams of competing on the biggest stage in sport at the Olympic Games.” 

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

On 26 September 2024, World Boxing announced that it had set-up an Olympic Commission, chaired by President of the National Olympic Committee of Kazakhstan, to support and assist the process of developing a pathway to ensuring that boxing is restored to the Olympic Games. 

World Boxing Launches New Equipment Licence Programme to Ensure Safe Competition and Training

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 agrees to delegate adjudication on all anti-doping violations to the Anti-Doping Division of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS AAD)

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 ENTRUSTS THE ITA TO DESIGN AND INDEPENDENTLY MANAGE A COMPREHENSIVE ANTI-DOPING PROGRAM FOR ITS ATHLETES

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.”

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.

Liverpool in England wins bid to host inaugural World Boxing Championships 2025

Liverpool in England has been selected as the host city for the inaugural World Boxing Championships 2025 for Elite men and women.

The Championships, which will take place from 4 – 14 September 2025 at the M&S Bank Arena, will be the first Elite-level global championships hosted by World Boxing, the new International Federation which has been set-up to ensure that boxing remains at the heart of the Olympic Movement.

The action will feature competition in 10 weight classes for both men and women and will be the first time ever that male and female boxers have competed in Olympic-style boxing for the title of world champion at the same event.

The precise weight categories will be finalised in the new edition of World Boxing’s Competition Rules which will be published following its forthcoming Congress in November 2024.

The bid to host the World Boxing Championships 2025 was developed by a group of partners including England Boxing, GB Boxing, Liverpool City Council and the M&S Bank Arena and is supported by the National Lottery and UK Sport. 

Liverpool has a long history of staging major international events and was the location for the European Boxing Championships in 2008.  More recently it hosted the 2019 Vitality Netball World Cup and the 2022 World Gymnastics Championships at the M&S Bank Arena and The Open Golf Championship at Royal Liverpool in 2023.  The arena also hosted the Eurovision Song Contest in 2023.

The President of World Boxing, Boris van der Vorst said: “Liverpool is a globally famous city with a proud heritage in boxing and it will be a fantastic place to host our first ever Elite World Boxing Championships. This will be a superb showcase for the sport of Olympic boxing, particularly as it will be the first time ever that the men and women’s competition will run alongside each other as part of the same Championships.

“I would like to thank all of our partners in Great Britain and the city of Liverpool for their enthusiasm and support in wanting to stage these Championships and I look forward to working closely with all of them to deliver what will be a historic event for the boxers and for our sport.”

Jerome Pels, Chief Executive, England Boxing added: “The World Boxing Championships is not just another big sporting event – it is a game-changer for us. It is a strategic initiative that aligns with our goals of establishing a unified international governing body, inspiring the next generation of boxers, boosting participation, and strengthening communities through boxing. We are thrilled to host this event and confident it will have a huge, lasting impact on both our organisation and the future of the sport itself.”

Esther Britten, Head of Events & External Affairs at UK Sport added: “We are delighted to be supporting the World Boxing Championships in Liverpool next year, an event which will support efforts to help the sport establish a long-term future in the Olympic movement. After the incredible summer of sport, having the opportunity to compete in front of a home crowd is a huge boost for our boxers. We look forward to working with our event hosting partners to deliver this exciting event.”

Councillor Harry Doyle, Liverpool City Council’s Cabinet Member for Culture, Sport and Health, said: “It is a huge coup for Liverpool to be hosting theWorld Boxing Championships. This is a massive global sporting event and one which the city is proud to be welcoming. Liverpool has a long, historic connection with boxing and we are delighted to be playing our part in what will be a pivotal step for the future of the sport. We also look forward to working with our communities and boxing clubs to ensure that we can support the future grassroots development of boxing in the city. Our winning bid also underlines the city’s appeal and ability to showcase the world’s best, and I’m sure these world championships will be just as popular as those we staged for Gymnastics and Netball”.

Ben Williams, Commercial & Business Development Director at M&S Bank Arena commented: “We are delighted to be hosting this auspicious event. Liverpool loves boxing and we intend to use our world-class facilities and vast experience of hosting major events to put on the best show for visitors from across the globe. As a venue based on Liverpool’s famous waterfront, in the heart of a city that is immersed in sport, we’re perfectly positioned to provide a fantastic experience.”

Matt Holt, Chief Executive of GB Boxing, the organisation which manages the Olympic programme for boxing in Great Britain, added: “Having a major international tournament, especially the inaugural World Boxing Championships, on home soil is fantastic news for the boxers in our squad. Being part of the GB Boxing squad often means regularly competing abroad, so the chance to box in a world championship at home presents is great for the boxers and I am sure they will all be very keen to make the most of this opportunity.”

World Boxing was launched in April 2023 and aims to ensure that boxing remains at the heart of the Olympic movement.  On 7 May 2024 it held its first meeting with the IOC which signalled the start of formal collaboration between the two organisations aimed at establishing a pathway for boxing to remain in the Olympic Games.

World Boxing currently has 44 members covering all five Continents that compete in international boxing. Its membership is expected to have grown significantly by September 2025.

Japan and Algeria are the latest two National Federations to join World Boxing and support its efforts to keep the sport at the heart of the Olympic Movement

The National Federations for boxing in Japan and Algeria have become the latest two countries to join World Boxing.

It means the new International Federation, which was established to ensure that boxing remains at the heart of the Olympic Movement, now has 44 members covering all five Continents that compete in international boxing.

Japan and Algeria take the number of countries that have joined World Boxing since the end of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games to seven and follows the recent approval of membership applications from Chinese Taipei, Pakistan, Bhutan, Fiji and Ecuador.

All of the 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 for the appointment of office bearing roles
  • The existence and operation of WADA-recognised anti-doping polices and processes
  • Evidence of a structured, dispute resolution and appeals process that is either fully independent or subject to external input
  • Formal recognition by either their National Olympic Committee (NOC) or Ministry for Sport
  • A solid national and international boxing sports programme

The President of World Boxing, Boris van der Vorst, said: “The additions of Japan and Algeria enhance the global profile of World Boxing by increasing our presence in Asia and Africa. Their decision to join World Boxing is further evidence of the widespread desire for change that exists across our sport and illustrates how important it is that we retain boxing’s place at the heart of the Olympic Movement.

“We are continuing to process applications from a number of countries and it is clear that more and more National Federations recognise that joining World Boxing is the only way they can ensure that their boxers will be able to continue to pursue their dream of competing on the biggest stage in sport at the Olympic Games.”

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 signalled the start of formal collaboration aimed at establishing a pathway for boxing to remain in the Olympic Games.

World Boxing receives post-Olympic boost with announcement of five new member National Federations

The National Federations for boxing in Chinese Taipei, Pakistan, Bhutan, Fiji and Ecuador have become the latest five countries to join World Boxing, the new International Federation which has been established to ensure that boxing remains at the heart of the Olympic Movement.

The new additions provide a significant boost to World Boxing in the aftermath of the 2024 Olympic Games and mean it now has 42 member National Federations covering all of the five Continents that compete in international boxing.

Further membership announcements are expected in the coming weeks after World Boxing’s leaders held a series of meetings with the heads of multiple National Federations in the course of the recent boxing tournament at Paris 2024.

Chinese Taipei, Pakistan, Bhutan, Fiji and Ecuador have all 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 for the appointment of office bearing roles
  • The existence and operation of WADA-recognised anti-doping polices and processes
  • Evidence of a structured, dispute resolution and appeals process that is either fully independent or subject to external input
  • Formal recognition by either their National Olympic Committee (NOC) or Ministry for Sport
  • A solid national and international boxing sports programme

The President of World Boxing, Boris van der Vorst, said: “I am very happy to welcome Chinese Taipei, Pakistan, Bhutan, Fiji and Ecuador to World Boxing and look forward to working closely with each of them in our efforts to ensure that boxing remains at the heart of the Olympic movement. 

“My colleagues and I at World Boxing had a very productive two weeks at the recent Olympic Games in Paris when we met the leaders of many National Federations and I am very confident that we will continue to receive more membership applications in the coming weeks. 

“It is clear there is a huge appetite for change in international boxing and that many National Federations now recognise the only way we can ensure that boxing has a future within the Olympic Movement is by joining World Boxing.”

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 signalled the start of formal collaboration aimed at establishing a pathway for boxing to remain in the Olympic Games.

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