NEWS

World Boxing meets the International Olympic Committee to start Olympic Journey

World Boxing reached an important milestone in its development by attending its first formal meeting with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) with the goal to ensure boxing is in the Olympic Games for LA28. 

Monday’s meeting in Lausanne, Switzerland at the Olympic House, headquarters of the IOC, between the key figures from the IOC and World Boxing addressed the pathway for the future of boxing at the Olympic Games. 

As of today, boxing is not on the Olympic Programme for LA 28 which is an alarming fact for all involved in boxing. During the meeting the IOC clearly indicated that the new International Federation had to be supported by a global body of National Federations and the new International Federation had to show evidence of proper governance and leadership for the sport for the IOC to consider to put boxing back on the Olympic programme of LA28. 

Currently World Boxing is the only suitable International Federation to fulfil this mandate and is grateful to the IOC for starting a formal dialogue and outlining a future pathway to keep the sport in the Olympic Games. 

Boris van der Vorst, World Boxing President stated after the meeting, “Once again, we thank the IOC for their commitment and perseverance with boxing in the Olympic Games having run two Olympic editions themselves. Now it is time for World Boxing and National Federations to learn from their best practices and applied ethical principles.” 

“It is clearly imperative that those boxing nations interested to compete in the Olympic Games in the future need to show urgently their intent and commitment to the Olympic Games by joining World Boxing and retaining boxing at the Olympic Games. Otherwise, the loss of boxing’s Olympic status would be our worst nightmare.” 

World Boxing was launched in April 2023. It will seek recognition from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and plans to work constructively and collaboratively to develop a pathway that will preserve boxing’s ongoing place on the Olympic competition programme at Los Angeles 2028 and beyond. In November 2023, World Boxing held its inaugural Congress in Frankfurt where it conducted open, transparent and fair elections which saw members vote to elect a President and Executive Board. 

Australia’s Caitlin Parker on her mission to make sure the Athlete voice is heard and to keep boxing in the Olympic Games

Australia’s CAITLIN PARKER is a member of World Boxing’s Athletes Committee. The 28-year-old secured qualification for her second Olympic Games when she won gold at the 2023 Pacific Games in Honiara. Here she talks about her motivation for joining World Boxing’s Athletes Committee, the importance of being in the Olympic Games and the influence of her parents.

Q: Why did you choose to join World Boxing’s Athlete Committee?

A: I am a member of the Combat Australia Athlete Advisory Committee and was previously a representative for Oceania on an international boxing athletes committee, so I am really pleased to be part of World Boxing’s first Athlete Committee.

I take on these opportunities because it is important to me to work towards a better future for our sport. I strive to listen, observe, build connections and provide opportunities for athletes and our community to be stronger, more respectful, and support each other. 

Q: What would you like to achieve in your work with World Boxing?

A: It is important to me that the athletes’ voice is heard and appropriate actions are taken when needed. I want to positively contribute as much as I can to the future of boxing and to play a part in keeping boxing as part of the Olympic Movement. One step at a time.

Q: Why is it so important that boxing continues to remain part of the Olympic Movement after Paris 2024?

A: Although I was young at the time, I remember when I first learned that women’s boxing was being introduced to the Olympics for 2012 and my eyes were immediately set on it. I knew I wanted to represent Australia on the world’s biggest sporting stage. It inspired me and I don’t want to see that get taken away from future generations of boxers.

Boxing is one of the oldest sports in the world. Many legends of the sport – including the biggest of them all, Muhammad Ali – came through the Olympics, so the sport would undeniably be damaged it was not part of the Games. It would break the hearts and shatter the dreams of many people.

Q: Who has been the biggest influence on your career as a boxer and why?

My parents instilled the core values of hard work and dedication into me from a young age and I learned about the importance of hard work and sacrifice from them. As a young person I was always involved in sport so I understood how it benefits people and it certainly helped me to develop self-confidence and grow as a young person.

I began boxing early, at the age of 11 and my Dad played a big part in getting me into combat sports as he refused to let me walk to school by myself until I earned a black belt in Taekwondo! Dad has worked two jobs, seven days a week for most of my life and my mum worked multiple jobs to keep the household running and to be able to put me in sports. She would sell her delicious home-made pies to fundraise to be able to send me to nationals and different tournaments. They would still come to training every night to support my brother and me.

My drive and motivation is to not only do well for myself but to do well for them, so that they know their sacrifices were worth it. 

Q: What has been the highlight of your boxing career so far?

Qualifying for the Olympic Games for the first time was the happiest moment of my life. It was my childhood dream finally came true!

Q: What are you most looking forward to at Paris 2024?

I am looking forward to captaining the Australian Boxing Team to hopefully our most successful Olympics yet. I am also looking forward to fighting in front of a crowd – unlike the Tokyo Olympics – and being able to fully immerse myself in the Olympic experience. 

Home nation tops the medal table with three golds after five days of top-class action at the World Boxing Cup: USA Boxing International Invitational in Pueblo

The final day of action at the ‘World Boxing Cup: USA Boxing International Invitational’ in Pueblo, Colorado saw the home nation finish top of the medal table with three golds for flyweight (51kg), Terry Washington, light-welterweight (63.5kg), Dedrick Crocklem, and light-heavyweight (80kg), Amir Anderson. The latter two were decided by walkovers as their opponents pulled-out through injury.

It meant the USA narrowly pipped Brazil, China and Great Britain, who each won two golds, to the coveted slot at the top of the medal table. Algeria, Australia, Canada and Denmark all finished with one gold medallist.

The two walkovers meant that the final day saw 11 bouts, which included a number of top-class match-ups featuring boxers that have already qualified for this summer’s Olympic Games in Paris.

In the men’s light-middleweight division, Denmark’s European Games champion, Nikolai Terteryan, continued his excellent form with a split decision (4:1) victory over the USA’s Keon Davis to add to the gold medal he won at this year’s first World Boxing Cup event in Sheffield in January.

Another intriguing battle took place in the men’s featherweight (57kg) category where Brazil’s Luiz Oliveira and Great Britain’s Owain Harris met in a re-match of their qualification bout from the recent 1st World Qualifying Tournament in Italy. Once again, it was the Brazilian who prevailed with a victory that was much closer than the unanimous verdict indicated.

The women’s competition saw four of the six medals go to China and Great Britain with wins for Yu Wu (50kg), Wen Lu Yang (60kg), Charley Davison (54kg) and Elise Glynn (57kg). Algeria’s sole gold came in the light-welterweight (66kg) category where Paris-bound, Imen Khelif, secured a unanimous victory over Emilie Sonvico of France.

The women’s middleweight (75kg) final saw a face-off between two members of World Boxing’s Athlete Committee, Tammara Thibeault of Canada and Australia’s Caitlin Parker. The pair have boxed each other before and could meet again in this summer’s Olympics, however on this occasion it was the Canadian 2022 world champion, Thibeault, who prevailed with a unanimous win.

The full list of gold medallists includes:

Women’s 50kg: Yu Wu (CHN)

Women’s 54kg: Charley Davison (GBR)

Women’s 57kg: Elise Glynn (GBR)

Women’s 60kg: Wen Lu Yang (CHN)

Women’s 66kg: Imen Khelif (ALG)

Women’s 75kg: Tammara Thibeault (CAN)

Men’s 51kg: Terry Washington (USA)

Men’s 57kg: Luiz Oliveira (BRA)

Men’s 63.5kg: Dedrick Crocklem (USA)

Men’s 71kg: Nikolai Terteryan (DEN)

Men’s 80kg: Amir Anderson (USA)

Men’s 92kg: Keno Machado (BRA)

Men’s 92kg+: Teremoana Teremoana (AUS)

All of the results from the event can be viewed at: https://www.usaboxing.org/2024-international-invitational

The action from the final day can be watched back at: https://www.youtube.com/@officialworldboxing

Boxers set for final day of action at World Boxing Cup: USA Boxing International Invitational

The winners of the second World Boxing Cup event of the year will be determined in today’s final day of action at the World Boxing Cup: USA Boxing International Invitational in Pueblo.

Of the 13 weight categories, the Elite Male 63.5kg and Elite Male 80kg have already been decided due to walkovers. The USA’s Dedrick Crocklem (63.5kg) and Amir Andersen (80kg) will receive the gold medals with Great Britain’s, Patrick Mughalzai (63.kg) and the USA’s Robby Gonzalez (80kg), taking silver.

The other 11 finals will be contested over a single session which will take place from 12:00 (MT), 19:00 (CET).

To follow the action live visit: https://www.youtube.com/@officialworldboxing

All of the event information including results, bout sheets and the draw can be viewed at https://www.usaboxing.org/2024-international-invitational

World Boxing will also be posting updates throughout the competition on its social channels:

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

X / Twitter – https://twitter.com/RealWorldBoxing

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

52 boxers from 12 countries set to contest semi-finals on day four of World Boxing Cup: USA Boxing International Invitational

52 boxers from 12 countries will contest the semi-finals of the World Boxing Cup: USA Boxing International Invitational which get underway today in Pueblo, Colorado.

The semi-finalists include 13 boxers from the USA, 11 from Great Britain, seven from Brazil, six from Australia, four from China, three from France, two each from Germany and Canada, and one from Czechia, Algeria, Sweden and Denmark.

The two sessions of boxing will take place at 12:00 (MT), 19:00 (CET) and 18:00 (MT), 01:00 (CET).

To follow the action live visit: https://www.youtube.com/@officialworldboxing

All of the event information including results, bout sheets and the draw can be viewed at https://www.usaboxing.org/2024-international-invitational

World Boxing will also be posting updates throughout the competition on its social channels:

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

X / Twitter – https://twitter.com/RealWorldBoxing

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

More than 120 boxers from 17 countries to battle it out at the World Boxing Cup: USA International Invitational in Pueblo, Colorado

More than 120 boxers from 17 countries are set to take part in the ‘World Boxing Cup: USA International Invitational’ in Pueblo, Colorado this week, 16-20 April 2024.

It is the second event of this year’s series and follows the ‘World Boxing Cup: GB Open’, which took place in Sheffield, England in January.

The event in Pueblo features a high-quality field with almost half of the boxers already having secured a place at this summer’s Olympic Games, including six boxers from the home nation line-up: Jennifer Lozano (50kg), Jajaira Gonzalez (60kg), Morelle McCane (66kg), Jahmal Harvey (57kg), Omari Jones (63.5 kg) and Joshua Edwards (92kg+).

Other Paris 2024 boxers that will be looking to use the event as part of their Olympic preparations include Canadian world champion, Tammara Thibeault (75kg) and Australia’s Caitlin Parker (75kg) who have both recently joined World Boxing’s Athlete’s Committee. Parker is part of a strong Australian team, which includes 12 boxers that will be competing at the 2024 Olympics.

Other Paris-bound competitors in the USA this week include: Delicious Orie (92kg+), Charley Davison (57kg) and Chantelle Reid (75kg) from Great Britain; China’s Qian Li (75kg) and Abner Teixeira (92kg) from Brazil.

The five-day competition will take place across all 13 Olympic weight categories, seven for men and six for women. There will be two sessions per day [at 12:00 and 18:00 Mountain Time (MT) / 19:00 and 01:00 Central European Time (CET)] for the first four days and one session for the final day of action (12:00 MT).

The draw for the event, which is being delivered by USA Boxing in association with World Boxing, will take place on 15 April 2024.

All of the event information including draw sheets, results, updates, photographs and a live stream of the action can be viewed at: https://www.usaboxing.org/2024-international-invitational.

More news on the World Boxing Cup: USA Boxing International Invitational will be posted on World Boxing’s social channels in the build-up to the event and throughout the competition at:

• Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/officialworldboxing/
• X / Twitter – https://twitter.com/RealWorldBoxing
• Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/OfficialWorldBoxing

Sky is the limit as World Champion Tammara Thibeault looks forward to her second Olympic Games and new role with World Boxing

To mark the up-and-coming one-year anniversary of the launch of World Boxing (on 13 April 2023), we spoke to the reigning middleweight World Champion, Tammara Thibeault, about her recent decision join World Boxing’s Athletes Committee.

The 27-year-old boxed for Canada at the 2020 Olympic Games in Japan and will compete at her second Olympics this summer having secured her place at Paris 2024 when she won gold at the 2023 Pan-American Games.

Q: Why did you choose to join World Boxing’s Athlete Committee?

A:  I chose to join World Boxing’s athlete committee because I truly believe that the athlete’s voice makes a difference. We are always the ones in the mix and we are the ones at competitions.  We need to be able to work together to create the best environment for athletes to feel safe and to be able to perform. It is a unique position and it makes all the difference.

As the chair of Boxing Canada’s first athlete committee, I have experience of this and have been able to work with our board and make changes necessary so that the athletes feel like they have a voice and that they are heard.

Q:  What would you like to achieve in your work with World Boxing?

A:  Right now, since it’s just the beginning of the Athlete Committee, the first thing I would like to do is represent World Boxing’s values and be the voice of the athletes and help ensure that athletes feel listened to and heard, and that World Boxing is an organisation for the athletes.

Q: Why is it important that boxing remains part of the Olympic Movement?

A:  Boxing is a special sport. It is one of the original sports of the Olympics and it is important that it remains so. The Olympics provides inspiration for boxers and is a huge platform for the sport. To lose its place at the Olympics would do massive damage to boxing.

Q: Paris will be your second Olympic Games – what are you most looking forward to?

I am looking forward to representing Canada on the international stage and taking part in a real Olympics – because unfortunately Tokyo took place during the pandemic – in one of the most beautiful cities in the world.

Q: What has been the highlight of your boxing career so far?

I would have to say the whole the 2022 season. I accomplished quite a few things in that season when I won gold at the American Boxing Confederation (AMBC) Championships, the World Championships and the Commonwealth Games, all in a row, and I did it while having fun.

It was the highlight of my career and a beautiful year. I got to travel the world, meet incredible people and be a good icon for boxing and women’s boxing.

Q: Who has been the biggest influence on your sporting career?

The biggest influence on my career is not a boxer – the biggest influence is my father. He was an athlete and played American football. What he has brought to me in my career is my work ethic, my determination and my will to just be the best version of myself. He taught me that the sky is the limit.

Statement from World Boxing following the decision by CAS to uphold the IOC’s decision to withdraw recognition of IBA

 “World Boxing welcomes the decision by CAS to withdraw recognition of IBA and the subsequent comments by the IOC in which it expressed a desire to partner with a new International Federation that is committed to ‘good governance, the integrity of competitions, transparency of finances and accounts, and autonomy’. 

“That International Federation is World Boxing. The decision by CAS and the comments from the IOC send a clear and unambiguous message to all National Federations that if they want boxers from their country to have the life-changing opportunity to continue to compete at future Olympic Games then they must now support and seek to join World Boxing, which is the last remaining hope for the sport to retain its status as an Olympic sport beyond Paris 2024. 

“There is no alternative and the IOC has made it clear that the ‘National Olympic Committees (NOCs) and National Boxing Federations hold the future of Olympic boxing in their own hands’. 

“Any National Federation or NOC that continues to think its boxers will have an Olympic future elsewhere and without joining World Boxing is making a grave error that will be ruinous for the sport and hugely damaging for its boxers. 

“For boxing to lose its place at the Olympic Games would be devastating for boxers at all levels in every part of the world. The Olympic Games provides inspiration and an unmatched platform for the sport. Without the Olympic Games, boxing and boxers will suffer. Fewer people will come into the sport at the grassroots and there will be less opportunities for elite boxers. This will damage the sport at every level and cannot be allowed to happen. 

“This is an urgent situation and the clock is ticking. The leaders of boxing’s National Federations now have a critically important decision to make and we urge every one of them that cares about boxers and the future of the sport to apply to join and support World Boxing in its efforts to ensure boxing remains at the heart of the Olympic Movement, before it is too late.”