
The President of World Boxing, Gennadiy Golovkin, has delivered a New Year message to its 152 members setting out his priorities for 2026 which are designed to “strengthen trust in the organisation, safeguard the values of boxing and build а modern, sustainable, and professional international federation that fully meets the expectations of the Olympic Movement and the wider international sporting community”.
The priorities cover a wide-range of areas and include an operational reorganisation; putting athletes at the centre of the World Boxing’s work; publishing a strategic roadmap for World Boxing through to Brisbane 2032; an increased focus on competition integrity and officiating; plans for the increased adoption and usage of new technology and Artificial Intelligence (AI); integration with the Olympic calendar; increased commercial development; and plans to continue to grow membership and enhance relations with National Federations.
All of this is underpinned by a commitment to an open dialogue with National Federations and the willingness of the President to work directly to address concerns and issues.
The operational reorganisation will see World Boxing consolidate its activities at its office in Lausanne, Switzerland and establish an effective governance model based on transparency, accountability and efficient decision-making.
The next 12 months will also see World Boxing present its strategic roadmap for the period 2026-2032. The strategy will set-out plans for the long-term development of the organisation and include details on:
- Strengthening the central role of athletes
- Setting out a clear pathway to Los Angeles 2028 and Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games
- Ensuring long-term financial sustainability and transparency
- Modernising statutory and regulatory frameworks
- The launch of a global World Boxing Online Academy for sports managers, athletes, officials, coaches and Referees and Judges (R&Js)
Ensuring fairness and the integrity of competitions is central to the President’s vision for World Boxing and 2026 will see further progress in this area to develop officiating, enhance education and professional standards for referees and judges, and standardize procedures across competitions. It will also include the introduction of new technologies, including elements of AI, to enhance objectivity.
On this subject, the letter from the President states: “Integrity of Competition and Officiating Trust in competition results and fairness are the cornerstone of any sport. World Boxing will continue its systematic work to further improve transparency, and fairness in judging.”
The use of new technologies and AI will be a key driver of World Boxing’s modernisation over the next 12 months when it plans to implement advanced digital tools and AI solutions across both governance and analytical and competition-related processes, all of which will be designed to enhance efficiency, transparency and trust.
Commercial activities will be designed to build on boxing’s status as a globally recognised sport and increase the attractiveness, visibility and value of its competitions, while building sustainable partnerships that support long-term growth. Relations with member National Federations will be enhanced by improving data management and the development new digital communications platforms.
The priorities are all underpinned by a commitment to putting the interests of athletes at the centre of World Boxing’s activities and a personal commitment from the new President to work closely with National Federations.
In the letter to National Federations, Gennadiy Golovkin says: “Athletes are the heart and purpose of World Boxing. We will consistently strengthen their roles within our governance framework, ensure transparent and fair selection and qualification pathways, and protect their rights and interests. Particular attention will be paid to athletes’ physical and mental well-being, as well as to their meaningful involvement in consultative and representative structures.
“You all know that l am а person of action rather than words. I intend to maintain constant contact with all our members and look forward to working closely with all of you in the year ahead and am confident that, together, we will lay а strong foundation for а sustainable and successful future for World Boxing. I wish all of us а strong, united, and successful 2026 – а year of hard work, real progress, and shared achievements.”


