NEWS

World Boxing opens bidding to host Referee & Judge certification courses

World Boxing has opened applications for National Federations to host its Continental-level Referee and Judge (R&J) Certification Courses, in a fresh step to raise officiating standards across the sport.

The courses certify referees and judges to Continental level and run alongside a live competition, giving candidates the bouts they need to complete their assessment. Each course takes up to 25 candidates and is delivered under World Boxing Competition Rules, with World Boxing Evaluators overseeing the certification throughout.

Federations interested in hosting can find the full requirements in the hosting pack and submit their bid via the hosting application form.

Applications close on 21st of August, 2026. Any competition put forward to host a course must be scheduled at least three months after that date.

Bidding procedure available here

Registration now open for World Boxing Congress 2026, Panama City

World Boxing has opened registration for the World Boxing Congress 2026, which will take place on Friday, 20 November 2026, in Panama City, Panama in hybrid format.

The 2026 Congress will be an elective Congress, with seven positions on the Executive Board due to be elected. The official List of Nominated Candidates has now been published.

The Congress will conclude a week of World Boxing meetings in Panama City. The Executive Board will meet on 18 November, followed by the Pan-American Boxing Congress and the Official Welcome Gala Dinner on 19 November. The World Boxing Congress will convene on 20 November, with departures scheduled for 21 November.

The Congress and official accommodation will be hosted at Hotel El Panamá by Faranda Grand, Av. Central España 111, Panama City.

All registration, accommodation, transport and visa-letter requests must be completed through the official online entry system.

REGISTER FOR WORLD BOXING 2026 CONGRESS

Delegations and Voting

In accordance with the World Boxing Statutes, each Full Member may be represented at Congress by up to three delegates.

A third delegate may only be appointed where that delegate is of a different gender to the first two delegates. Each delegate must either hold the same nationality as the Member, have permanent residence in the Member’s country or territory, or work for that Member. No delegate may be appointed solely to act as a translator.

Each Full Member must nominate one delegate as its Voting Delegate. Only nominated Voting Delegates are entitled to vote on decisions at Congress.

The names of all delegates, including the nominated Voting Delegate, must be submitted to the World Boxing Secretary General, Tom DIELEN, at tdielen@worldboxing.org, no later than 30 days prior to Congress, by 21 October 2026, except in cases of force majeure.

Continental Associations and Associate Members may each be represented by up to two delegates.

Costs

All costs related to attendance at the Congress are the responsibility of the delegates of the National Federations and Executive Board members, with the exception of the Athletes’ Committee Chair and Deputy Chair.

Key deadlines to be aware of

The following deadlines must be strictly observed:

  • 30 August 2026 — Visa support letter requests
  • 14 September 2026 — Pre-entry hotel reservation
  • 21 September 2026 — 60% payment for hotel and transport
  • 28 September 2026 — Final hotel reservation
  • 30 September 2026 — 100% payment for hotel and transport
  • 21 October 2026 — Submission of the completed delegation list to the World Boxing Secretary General and any proposals for the Congress 2026 Agenda

Please note that no exceptions will be made to these deadlines. Any federation that registers by 21 October 2026 but does not attend will be charged in accordance with its registration.

Accommodation

The official Congress hotel is Hotel El Panamá by Faranda Grand, Av. Central España 111, Panama City.

The hotel offers single and double occupancy rooms at the following rates:

  • USD 195 per person for single occupancy
  • USD 350 for double occupancy

Rates apply to three- or four-night packages, with a per-night discount available for longer stays: USD 10 per night for a three-night stay and USD 20 per night for a four-night stay.

Reservations are subject to availability and are confirmed only upon receipt of payment. Payment must be made by bank transfer in USD. Credit card payments cannot be accepted.

Airport Transfers

The official port of entry for the World Boxing Congress 2026 is Panama International Airport.

Round-trip transfers between the airport and the official hotel may be booked through the Organising Committee at no additional cost, using the travel form provided to each registered delegate.

Visas

Visa requirements vary according to nationality. It is the responsibility of each delegate to verify whether a visa is required to enter Panama. Delegates may check their visa requirements using the CIBTvisas visa quick-check tool.

Visa applications must be submitted individually. The Organising Committee cannot apply for a visa on behalf of any delegate.

As visa processing times may vary, delegates are strongly encouraged to begin the process as early as possible. Requests for an official invitation or visa support letter must be sent to the Organising Committee, together with a scanned passport copy, no later than 30 August 2026.

Contacts

World Boxing Congress 2026, Panama Organising Committee

For organisation and visa matters:
Luis CESAR, cesaresinc@gmail.com
Amabelis CAMAÑO, yanycar3126@hotmail.com

For accommodation and transport:
Karibel ZAMORA, grupos.panama@farandahotels.com
Tel: +507 215-9996

World Boxing

Sandrine BLATTER MARTINEZ, sblatter@worldboxing.org

World Boxing continues bidding process for 12 competitions from 2027 – 2029

World Boxing is continuing its bidding process for National Federations interested in hosting competitions across the 2027–2029 competition calendar, with 11 events still open for submissions.

Following the opening of the three-year bidding process in June, National Federations have already expressed interest in hosting a number of competitions. Several opportunities remain available across the World Boxing Cup series and World Boxing’s World Championships.

The remaining bidding opportunities are:

Competitions in 2027

World Boxing Cups

  • World Boxing Cup 1
  • World Boxing Cup 2
  • World Boxing Cup Final

Competitions in 2028

World Boxing Cups

  • World Boxing Cup 1
  • World Boxing Cup 3
  • World Boxing Cup Final

U19 World Boxing Championships

  • World Boxing U19 World Boxing Championships

Competitions in 2029

World Boxing Cups

  • World Boxing Cup 1
  • World Boxing Cup 2
  • World Boxing Cup 3

World Boxing Championships

  • World Boxing Championships

National Federations interested in hosting one or more of these competitions are encouraged to review the relevant bidding guidelines and submit their proposals within the applicable timeframe.

The bidding process provides National Federations with the opportunity to showcase their countries and cities while contributing to the continued development and global growth of boxing.

The full bidding guidelines and information on how to submit a bid can be found HERE.

National Federations that would like further information about the bidding process or have questions about the requirements can contact the World Boxing bid team directly at bids@worldboxing.org.

Dates changed for World Boxing Cup Finals 2026 in Tashkent

The dates of this year’s World Boxing Cup Finals, which will be held in Tashkent in Uzbekistan have been amended and the competition will now run from 26 November – 4 December 2026.

The previous dates for the event were the 25th November – 2nd December 2026.

The event in Tashkent will be the culmination of the World Boxing Cup series for 2026 and follows competitions in Brazil in April and China in June 2026. World Boxing Rankings points are on offer at the finals event that will be used to guide seedings at the Olympic qualifying competitions in 2027 and 2028.

Further details on the World Boxing Cup Finals in Tashkent will be circulated to National Federations shortly. Any enquiries about this event or World Boxing’s Competition Calendar should be sent to sport@worldboxing.org.

Olympic Solidarity and World Boxing Partnership Supports Young Athletes on the Road to Dakar 2026

Olympic Solidarity

World Boxing is proud to recognise the invaluable support provided by the International Olympic Committee’s Olympic Solidarity Programme in helping young boxers take an important step on their journey towards the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games.

The World Boxing Futures Cup, held in Bangkok, Thailand, in March 2026, served as the event for athletes seeking selection for the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games. Attendance at the event was a mandatory eligibility requirement, making participation a crucial milestone for aspiring Youth Olympians.

Through the Olympic Solidarity Programme, National Olympic Committees (NOCs) and their National Federations received funding to ensure that talented young athletes had the opportunity to compete, regardless of financial barriers.

In total, the programme supported:

  • 21 National Olympic Committees
  • 32 athletes, comprising 22 men and 10 women
  • 34 coaches

Financial support of $175,000 covered international travel to Thailand, accommodation and meals, enabling athletes and coaches from across Africa, Asia, Oceania, Europe, and the Americas to attend the World Boxing Futures Cup and compete for the opportunity to progress towards Dakar 2026.

Elise Seignolle, President of the Panamerican Boxing Confederation, who facilitated the support of teams from Honduras, Guatemala, Venezuela and Trinidad and Tobago, said “Olympic Solidarity has played a vital role in giving young athletes opportunities that can shape their entire sporting journey. By supporting their preparation and participation, it allows talented boxers from across the Americas to compete on the international stage and continue developing toward their Olympic dreams. We are deeply grateful for this partnership and its lasting impact on the next generation of champions.”

The IOC established six selection principles for Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games, including wide continental representation and strong African representation as the host continent. As a result, the selection event has achieved exceptional global diversity, with 79 NOCs represented across the 120 athlete quota places for Dakar 2026.

World Boxing also thanks the participating NOCs, National Federations and coaches whose commitment ensured these young athletes could take part in this important initiative, with several athletes travelling outside of their home countries for the very first time.

The partnership between Olympic Solidarity and World Boxing demonstrates the shared commitment of both organisations to developing the next generation of Olympic boxers and providing meaningful opportunities for young athletes on the Road to Dakar 2026 and beyond.

The NOC’s supported for the participation in the World Boxing Futures Cup include:

BeninBotswanaEquatorial Guinea
LibyaMauritiusNamibia
SenegalGambiaSeychelles
Bangladesh BhutanIraq
LebanonGuatemalaHonduras
Trinidad and TobagoVenezuelaLithuania
LatviaFijiTuvalu

World Boxing are now working with the Olympic Solidarity department of the IOC and members of the African Confederation to facilitate a pre-competition training camp in Senegal for the athletes supported by the programme. 

Solomon Desmond Kargbo, President of African Boxing said: “African Boxing is entering a defining moment, which has been made possible with the support of the Olympic Solidarity Program. As we look ahead to the Youth Olympic Games, this momentum gives our athletes crucial preparation and sends a strong message that African boxing is progressing with structure, ambition and purpose.”

The Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games will be held in Senegal from 31st October to 13th November with the boxing competition taking place between November 7th and November 12th. 

Executive Board of World Boxing endorses membership applications from National Federations for boxing in Chad, Ethiopia, Liberia, Kuwait and Yemen

The Executive Board of World Boxing has endorsed five new membership applications from the National Federations for boxing in Chad, Ethiopia, Liberia, Kuwait and Yemen.

To secure the endorsement of the Executive Board, all six National Federations have completed a rigorous application process and 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; showcase the existence and operation of WADA-recognsied anti-doping polices and processes; and provide evidence of a structured, dispute resolution and appeals process that is either fully independent or subject to external input.

The five new National Federation members are:

1. Chad Boxing Federation

2. Ethiopian Boxing Federation 

3. Liberia Boxing Federation

4. Kuwait Federation of Boxing 

5. Yemen Boxing Federation

The endorsements expand World Boxing’s footprint in Africa and mean that globally it currently has 183 member National Federations that are able to compete in its competitions, made-up of 122 ‘Full Members’, one ‘Associate Member’ and 60 ‘Endorsed Members’.

World Boxing previously had 180 members, but one of these National Federations has had its membership suspended and one has been cancelled.

Ecuador was suspended after an agreement that was not implemented. Following a letter informing it of the suspension, the National Federation for Ecuador took action and is holding a General Assembly in September which is expected to resolve the situation.

The endorsement of membership that was made to the National Federation in Cameroon in April 2026 has been cancelled as further analysis of the documents submitted did not fulfil the requirements of membership. The NOC and the Ministry of Sports in Cameroon are working together to develop a new application that is expected to be submitted in the near future.

Under World Boxing Statutes HERE the six new National Federations have ‘Endorsed Member’ status which means they are able to compete in World Boxing competitions but cannot vote at Congress 2026 as they do not have ‘Full Member’ status.

‘Full Member’ status can only be conferred by Congress, which is the ultimate authority of World Boxing, and will be voted on at the next World Boxing Congress in Panama on 20 November 2026. ‘Endorsed Members’ that are successful in having their membership applications ratified at this Congress and become ‘Full Members’ will be able to vote at the following year’s Congress in 2027 and all those thereafter.

A directory of World Boxing’s members is HERE. 

World Boxing was launched in April 2023. 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.

Seventeen candidates nominated for election at World Boxing’s fourth annual Congress in November 2026

Seventeen candidates representing seventeen National Federations have been nominated for election at World Boxing’s fourth annual Congress in Panama, 20 November 2026.

The candidates are contesting a series of roles on the Executive Board of World Boxing including: two positions as Vice-President; two Executive Board member roles; and the Chairs of the Sport and Competition Committee, the Finance and Audit Committee, and the Medical and Anti-Doping Committee.

The full list of candidates is available HERE. It is made-up 15 men and two women representing 17 member or associate member National Federations from across four Confederations. Nine are from Asia, four from Europe, and two each from Africa and PanAmerica.

In line with the World Boxing Election Process and Voting Regulations all of the candidates will now be assessed for eligibility by an independent Vetting Panel, that has been approved by the Executive Board of World Boxing and is made-up of three independent, external experts.

A final list of candidates for election will be published in early September 2026 once the work of the Vetting Panel has been completed.

All candidates are subject to the processes set out in the World Boxing Statutes and World Boxing Election Process and Voting Regulations.

World Boxing was launched in April 2023. 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.

India tops medal table at Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games with seven gold and three silvers 

(Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images)

India topped the medal table at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games with seven golds and three silvers after a pulsating day of finals action over two sessions of boxing at the Scottish Event Centre (SEC) on the banks of the River Clyde.

The Indian team enjoyed victory in seven of the 10 finals it took part in, winning five of the seven women’s categories and two of the men’s.

England was the next best performing team, winning four golds on the day and equalling India’s overall count of 10 medals.

The other two nations that went home with gold medals were Australia with two and Northern Ireland with one.   

In the morning session, India was quick out of the traps with two victories as Preeti Preeti overcame Canada’s Scarlett Savannah Delgado at bantamweight (W54kg) and Jaismine Jaismine outpointed the defending champion, Michaela Walsh of Northern Ireland, at featherweight (W57kg) to add the Commonwealth title to the World Boxing Championship she won in Liverpool in September 2025.

England’s first victory came in the women’s welterweight (W65kg) competition where Sacha Hickey used her speed and strength to good effect as she secured a unanimous victory over Northern Ireland’s Kaci Rock.

There was more success to follow for England in the men’s welterweight (M65kg) competition, where Patris Mughalzai, delivered a superb exhibition of counter punching to flummox Australia’s Jacob Cassar and win all three rounds on every judge’s card.

There was better news for Australia in the men’s bantamweight (M55kg) category where Jye Dixon broke India’s winning streak with a unanimous 5:0 victory over Jadumani Singh Mandengbam to land his country’s first gold medal of the boxing tournament.

After a series of unanimous wins, the men’s light-middleweight (M75kg) was a much tighter affair between Orlando Holley-Sotomi of Wales and Northern Ireland’s Jon McConnell.

The bout was finely poised after two rounds, but it was McConnell who made the most impact on the judges to take the last round on four cards and secure a 4:1 split decision to win Northern Ireland’s sole gold of the competition.

The final bout of the morning saw Isaac Okoh make it three wins from three for England with a classy display of backfoot boxing to outfox Connor Williams of Wales and secure a unanimous 5:0 win.

The afternoon session started in a similar vein to the morning with a string of victories by India’s women.

At flyweight (W51kg) Sakshi Sakshi used her size and reach advantage smartly to keep England’s Ruby White at bay and pick her off with long range shots to secure a unanimous victory.

A see-sawing lightweight (W60kg) contest between Priya Priya and Canada’s Marie-Bathoul Al-Ahmadieh could have gone either way, but it was the Indian boxer that prevailed 4:1 thanks to a decisive final round.

The women’s light-middleweight (W70kg) final between India’s Arundhati Choudhary and Chantelle Reid of England was a tightly matched, cagey affair between two top-class boxers, ranked two and five in the world respectively. In the end, the judges favoured Choudhary’s work on the counter attack as she took the bout on all five cards.

Once again, it was Australia that halted the Indian juggernaut as Emma-Sue Greentree got the upper-hand in her middleweight bout with Lovlina Borgohain.  The bout swung both ways with Greentree making a strong start, only for the Indian to pin her back in the second. 

However, the Australian’s work rate and aggression made the difference as she took the final round on four of the cards, to win the bout on a 4:1 split.

The final three bouts of the Games featured India’s men in a series of closely fought contests.

At lightweight (M60kg), Sachin Sachin, appeared to be in trouble against Namibia’s Tryagain Morning Ndevelo but a strong final round by the Indian convinced four of the judges to score it in his favour and hand him the win on a 3:2 split.

England’s Dimeji Shittu started strongly in the light-heavyweight (M80kg) final taking the first round with all five judges, however India’s Ankush Ankush used all his experience to work his way back into the bout and take the win on a 4:1 split.

The 187th and final bout of the Games, served up a mouthwatering clash between the two nations that had dominated the boxing competition as India’s Narender Narender took on Damar Thomas of England at super-heavyweight (M90kg).

After a day in which India had got the upper hand, Thomas managed to secure a degree of revenge for England, as he bossed all three rounds to secure a unanimous 5:0 victory and take home the final gold medal of the competition.

A full list of all the medallists is below:

WeightGoldSilverBronze
Women’s weights 
W51kg Sakshi Sakshi,INDRuby White, ENG Amber-Jane Wall, CAN
   Mischa Monique Araes, NAM
W54kgPreeti Preeti, INDScarlett Savannah Delgado, CANLauren Mackie, ENG
   Catherine Mwape, ZAM
W57kgJaismine Jaismine, IND Micheala Walsh, NIRRapelang Maselela, LES
   Jasmine Daunakamakama, FIJ
W60kgPriya Priya, IND Marie-Bathoul Al-Ahmadieh, CANLucy Kings-Wheatley, ENG
   Fatima Zahra, PAK
W65kgSacha Hickey, ENG Kaci Rock, NIRCaitlin Rainey, SCO
   Eve Elizabeth Bryson, AUS
W70kgArundhati Choudhary, INDChantelle Reid, ENG Rosie Eccles, WAL
   Lekeisha Pergoliti, AUS
W75kgEmma-Sue Greentree, AUSLovlina Borgohain, IND Tarona Khanum Badi Pasoni Taafaki, TUV
   Mary-Kate Smith, ENG
Men’s weights 
M55kg Jye Dixon, AUS Jadumani Singh Mandengbam, INDAmadu Mohammed, GHA
   Philip Pumulo Mutakela Haoseb, NAM
M60kgSachin Sachin, IND Tryagain Morning Ndevelo, NAMOwain Harris-Allan, WAL
   Jude Gallagher, NIR 
M65kgPatris Mughalzai, ENG Jacob Cassar, AUSPooana Khoahli, LES
   Emmanuel Katema, ZAM
M70kgJon McConnell, NIROrlando Holley-Sotomi, WALSonny Kerr, SCO
   Merven Clair, MRI
M80kgAnkush Ankush, INDDimeji Shittu, ENG Joshua Ofori, CAN 
   Paul Trainor, AUS
M90kgIsaac Okoh, ENGConnor Williams, WALGaryn McAllister, NIR
   Robert McNulty, SCO
M90kg+Damar Thomas, ENG Narender Narender, INDWilliam McCartan, NIR
   Nigel Paul, TTO

All of today’s results, daily schedules and all other competition information is HERE.

For further information about the competition and the winners see World Boxing’s social media channels:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/officialworldboxing

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OfficialWorldBoxing/

• X: https://x.com/RealWorldBoxing

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/world-boxing