NEWS

Chair of World Boxing’s Olympic Commission, Gennadiy Golovkin, meets with Saudi Boxing Federation in Riyadh

The Chair of World Boxing’s Olympic Commission, Gennadiy Golovkin, and its Acting Secretary General Mike McAtee visited Riyadh last week to meet with representatives of Saudi Boxing Federation.

The meeting brought together key figures, including Saudi Boxing Federation President Abdullah Ahmed Eid Al-Harbi, Nasser Muneer, Director of the Secretary General Office and Hani Ismail, Chief Operating Officer of the Saudi Olympic & Paralympic Committee and NOC Kazakhstan Secretary General Alimzhan Akayev.

The meeting discussed World Boxing’s plans and upcoming activities following the recent decision by the IOC to grant it Olympic recognition. As part of this, the delegation highlighted World Boxing’s commitment to transparency and fair play, with ongoing efforts to improve officiating standards.

Gennadiy Golovkin said: “World Boxing remains focused on its core priorities. Strengthening cooperation with key partners plays an important role in this work, and today’s meeting confirmed that our goals and values are widely shared. As Chair of the World Boxing Olympic Commission, I remain fully committed to our main objective — keeping boxing on the Olympic programme.”

ITA to deliver ‘Clean Sport Education Webinar’ for World Boxing members on 24 March 2025

All World Boxing members – including athletes, coaches, medical personnel, athlete support staff, administrators and parent/guardians – are invited to attend a ‘Clean Sport Education Webinar’ delivered by The International Testing Agency (ITA) at 14:00–15:00 CET on Monday 24 March 2025.

The session will cover key anti-doping principles, practical scenarios, and include a live Q&A with a panellist from the ITA Education Team.

It is designed to inform participants of the key information and actions required to compete clean. The Q&A session will take place at the end of the session, with the entire webinar being delivered in English.

For further information and to register for the webinar, visit: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_pXPlMbACRu-EH_bOwB-gvA#/registration

The session is being delivered by the ITA as part of its agreement to deliver all of World Boxing’s anti-doping services and clean sport activities.

It is open to all World Boxing member athletes and coaches. Individuals in roles such as administrator, medical personnel, athlete support or parent/guardian from member federations can also attend.

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.

Website launched for World Boxing Championships 2025 in Liverpool

The Local Organising Committee (LOC) for the inaugural World Boxing Championships 2025 has launched a new website – https://www.worldboxingliverpool.com/ – to provide information about the event which will be held at the M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool from 4–14 September 2025.

Anyone that is interested in getting early information about the Championships, including ticket offers and details about volunteering opportunities is advised to sign-up for updates via the website.

More than 500 boxers from over 60 countries will take part in the competition which will be the first Elite-level global championships hosted by World Boxing, the new International Federation for Olympic style boxing.  It will be the biggest Olympic-style boxing event to be held in Great Britain since the London 2012 Olympic Games.

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

Liverpool has a long history of staging major international events and was selected as the host of the inaugural World Boxing Championships following a successful bid that was developed by a group of partners which comprised England Boxing, GB Boxing, Liverpool City Council and the M&S Bank Arena, with the support of the National Lottery and UK Sport. Event partners are Sting, Nike Boxing, Brabners, the Liverpool Bid Company and Visit Liverpool. For further information on the World Boxing Championships 2025 visit  https://www.worldboxingliverpool.com/.

World Boxing visits Nigeria and Malawi to help drive the development of the sport in Africa

As part of its commitment to developing and growing the sport of boxing in Africa, the President of World Boxing, Boris van der Vorst, recently visited Nigeria where he met with leaders of the Nigerian Boxing Federation and visited boxing clubs and projects in the capital city of Lagos.

Nigeria was the first African nation to join World Boxing and is one of six National Federations from the Continent – along with Algeria, Egypt, Gambia, Madagascar and Malawi – that are members of World Boxing.

As part of his visit, the President outlined World Boxing’s plans for developing boxing in Africa at every level, from the grassroots to the elite, and identified areas of potential collaboration where it can work with National Federations on future funding initiatives to aid the growth of the sport.

He also outlined the critical importance of African nations continuing to be part of the Olympic Movement and how this may impact on their ability to participate at other important future events, such as the 2026 Youth Olympic Games in Senegal and the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Scotland – both of which are vital to development of boxing in Africa.

The President’s trip to Nigeria coincided with a visit to Malawi by a delegation of World Boxing representatives who delivered a presentation to the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA) Zone VI and the Malawi National Olympic Committee on World Boxing’s hopes and plans to grow its representation in Africa.

Both trips were very positively received by their hosts and the President’s visit to Nigeria was covered extensively by local press and broadcast media. 

Examples of this can be viewed online at:

https://www.sports247.ng/world-boxing-federation-president-boris-van-der-vorst-tasks-nigerian-sports-officials-on-hosting-international-events/

https://aljazirahnews.com/world-boxing-president-boris-van-der-vorst-set-to-visit-nigeria/

https://dailytrust.com/world-boxing-president-boris-van-der-vorst-to-visit-nigeria/

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 secures long-term agreement with Exceed Boxing for event and commercial rights management 

 World Boxing has secured a long-term exclusive agreement with Exceed Boxing to manage and monetise its events and commercial rights. 

From the owners of Sportworx, Exceed Boxing is a global leading event management and commercialisation company dedicated to transforming the landscape of Olympic-style boxing. 

Under the agreement, it will have exclusive access to the sale and licensing of World Boxing’s commercial rights including its competitions, broadcasting rights, sponsorship, ticketing, merchandising and gaming. 

World Boxing and Exceed Boxing have established a model in which profits from the sale of media rights, sponsorships, ticket sales, and merchandise will contribute to the financial growth of both the International Federation and its member National Federations. 

World Boxing will retain exclusive rights for the sale of some specific assets including Global Sponsorship, Website Sponsorship, Merchandise Sponsorship and Social Impact Sponsorship. 

It is World Boxing’s third major commercial partnership and follows agreements with merchandise and equipment provider, Sting, and sporting apparel and footwear supplier, Nike Boxing. 

The President of World Boxing, Boris van der Vorst, said: “This is a very important agreement for World Boxing that will positively impact the financial sustainability of the organisation and significantly enhance the work we are doing to secure recognition from the IOC. 

“The decision by Exceed Boxing to make this investment in World Boxing is a sign of the confidence they have in our organisation, our plans for the sport and the benefits we can deliver by ensuring that boxing remains at the heart of the Olympic Movement.” 

Danny Menken, co-founder of Exceed Boxing, commented: “At Exceed Boxing, our mission is to revolutionize the sport by delivering world-class boxing experiences to boxers and fans around the globe. Through our long term partnership with World Boxing, we are committed to elevating the sport’s commercial success while keeping the passion of the fans and the integrity of the athletes at the core of everything we do. This collaboration marks a new era for Olympic-style boxing—one that prioritizes innovation, accessibility, and global growth” 

World Boxing Vice President and President of Boxing Canada, Ryan O’Shea, who played a significant role in securing the deal, added: “I have no doubt that this agreement is a major milestone in the evolution and development of World Boxing.

“Throughout the process of negotiating this agreement, Exceed Boxing, has demonstrated that they are aligned with the vision and values of World Boxing, understand the huge potential that exists within our sport and are committed to working with us to ensure that boxing continues to be a central part of the Olympic Games.” 

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.