Press Release

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

World Boxing approves applications from National Federations in China, Türkiye, Sudan, Greece, Montenegro and Slovakia to increase membership to 84 countries

The Executive Board of World Boxing has approved six more applications from boxing National Federations to increase its’ membership to 84 countries.

The six new members are: the Chinese Boxing Federation; the Turkish Boxing Federation; the Sudan Boxing Federation; the Boxing Association of Montenegro; the Slovak Boxing Federation and the Hellenic Boxing Federation (Greece).

The approval of the applications follows the recent announcement by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) on 25 February 2025 to grant provisional Olympic recognition to World Boxing.

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 addition of China and Türkiye increases the number of World Boxing members whose men and women won medals at the 2024 Olympics where China finished second in the boxing medal table with three golds and two silver, while Türkiye came joint eighth with three medals.

The President of World Boxing, Boris van der Vorst, said: “It is my pleasure to welcome our latest members which further increases the global reach of World Boxing across all five Continents as we continue to grow and go from strength to strength.

“The addition of six more members to our ever-increasing membership is further evidence of the widespread support that exists across our sport for the work that World Boxing is doing to deliver a better future for boxers and ensure that boxing remains at the heart of the Olympic Movement.”

A full list of the 84 National Federations that are members of World Boxing can be viewed HERE.

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 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.”

World Boxing’s Executive Board approves six new applications from Kosovo, Syria, Hungary, Malawi, Estonia and Switzerland to take its membership to 78 countries

The Executive Board of World Boxing has approved six more membership applications from the National Federations for boxing in Kosovo, Syria, Hungary, Malawi, Estonia and Switzerland to take its membership to 78 countries.

The confirmation of Hungary as the 75th country to have its membership application approved by World Boxing’s Executive Board means that the International Federation has achieved one of the widely established criteria for Olympic inclusion, that a sport must be practiced in at least 75 countries on four continents.

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: “This is a very significant milestone for World Boxing and I am delighted to welcome our six newest members and thank each of them for making the decision to join our mission to ensure that boxing remains at the heart of the Olympic Movement.

“It is a particular pleasure to welcome Hungary as our 75th member as this means that World Boxing has achieved one of the widely established criteria for a sport to be included in the Olympic Games. 

“This is very positive news for everyone involved with boxing, at all levels, throughout the world and I would like to thank all of our member National Federations for their steadfast support and commitment to delivering a better future for boxers and everyone associated with our sport.

“We are continuing to receive applications from National Federations across the world that want to be part of World Boxing, and I urge all boxing leaders that want to ensure their boxers have the opportunity to compete at a future Olympic Games to do the same and apply to join World Boxing.”

A full list of the 78 National Federations that are members of World Boxing can be viewed HERE.

World Boxing was launched in April 2023 and is committed to ensuring that boxing remains at the heart of the Olympic movement.

On 7 May 2024, it held its first formal meeting with the IOC which signalled the start of 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 the President of the National Olympic Committee of Kazakhstan, Gennadiy Golovkin, to support and assist the process of developing a pathway to ensuring that boxing is restored to the Games.

World Boxing to hold Extraordinary Congress on 1 March 2025 to approve new membership applications

World Boxing is to hold an Extraordinary Congress on 1 March 2025 to enable members to formally approve a series of new applications from boxing National Federations that want to join the International Federation.

The Extraordinary Congress will be held virtually and overseen by independent, third-party assessors.

The 55 National Federations that were confirmed as members of World Boxing by the end of its most recent Congress (3 November 2024) will be eligible to participate in the Extraordinary Congress and vote on the new membership applications that have been received since then. 

At present, an additional 17 National Federations have had their membership applications approved by the Executive Board of World Boxing since the Congress in November 2024, however this number is expected to rise by the time of the Extraordinary Congress on 1 March 2025.

The decision to hold an Extraordinary Congress reflects the status of Congress as the highest decision-making body of World Boxing and aims to ensure that all membership applications have been approved by Congress as well as the Executive Board in advance of the forthcoming IOC Session (19-21 March 2025).

Boris van der Vorst, the President of World Boxing, said: “World Boxing is committed to upholding the highest standards of governance and transparency so the Executive Board has decided to hold this Extraordinary Congress to ensure that there is no ambiguity about the number of National Federations that are confirmed members of World Boxing, when the IOC comes to meet at its next Session in March. 

“Congress is the highest authority of World Boxing and by ensuring that every application has been assessed and voted on by Congress, we can be unequivocally clear about the precise size and composition of our membership.”

World Boxing was launched in April 2023 and is committed to ensuring that boxing remains at the heart of the Olympic movement.

On 7 May 2024, it held its first formal meeting with the IOC which signalled the start of 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 the President of the National Olympic Committee of Kazakhstan, Gennadiy Golovkin, to support and assist the process of developing a pathway to ensuring that boxing is restored to the Games.

Executive Board of World Boxing approves four new applications to join from Egypt, Gambia, Kiribati and Grenada as membership grows to 72 countries

The Executive Board of World Boxing has approved membership applications from the National Federations for boxing in Egypt, Gambia, Kiribati and Grenada, to take its membership to 72 countries.

The addition of Egypt and Gambia grows World Boxing’s footprint in Africa. The approval of Kiribati’s application means it now has seven members in Oceania.

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 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 approval of four more applications is a sign of the continued progress of World Boxing and the widespread desire for change that exists across the sport.

“It is clear that the only way that boxing will continue to be part of the Olympic Movement is for National Federations to support World Boxing and it is good to see that boxing leaders from all parts of the world recognise this and are applying to join us.

“We are continuing to process applications from National Federations across the world I urge all boxing leaders that want to ensure their boxers to have the opportunity to compete at a future Olympic Games to seek to be part of World Boxing.”

A full list of the 72 National Federations that are members of World Boxing can be viewed HERE.

World Boxing was launched in April 2023 and is committed to ensuring that boxing remains at the heart of the Olympic movement.

On 7 May 2024, it held its first formal meeting with the IOC which signalled the start of 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 the President of the National Olympic Committee of Kazakhstan, Gennadiy Golovkin, to support and assist the process of developing a pathway to ensuring that boxing is restored to the Games.