The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has banned the International Boxing Association (IBA) and subsequently removed boxing from the program for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games. However, the newly established Olympic-style governing body, World Boxing, is working diligently to secure IOC approval to reinstate the sport for the 2028 Games. Significant progress has been made, with 55 nations already joining World Boxing as members, showcasing the growing global support for the effort.
As of November 2024, the future of boxing in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics remains uncertain, with a crucial decision expected from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) by early 2025. This uncertainty stems from the IOC’s demand for a credible and reliable International Federation to govern the sport, a requirement that follows the IOC’s decision to derecognize the International Boxing Association (IBA) over concerns related to governance and financial mismanagement.
In an effort to meet these requirements and keep boxing on the Olympic program, a new organization, World Boxing, has been established. This body is working diligently to align with the IOC’s criteria, but as of now, it has not been officially recognized as the governing body for Olympic boxing. The formation of World Boxing represents a critical step forward, but the IOC’s endorsement remains essential.
The IOC has reiterated that boxing’s inclusion in the 2028 Games will depend on reforms that ensure governance and financial transparency meet Olympic standards. Stakeholders, including national boxing federations, are making concerted efforts to address these issues. The global boxing community is now anxiously awaiting the IOC’s final decision, as the sport’s fate in the 2028 Olympics hangs in the balance.
World Boxing has made great strides under its President Boris Van Der Vorst
“Meanwhile World Boxing President Boris Van Der Vorst posting a comment on his Facebook page stated “The second annual World Boxing Congress, which took place yesterday in Pueblo, USA, marks another significant milestone for our organization. WORLD BOXING has approved applications from four new members: the National Federations for boxing in Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Guatemala, and Laos. Our membership has now grown to 55 countries!”
As of November 2024, World Boxing has expanded its membership to 55 national federations across various continents. Notable member countries include:
- United States: USA Boxing
- Canada: Boxing Canada
- Brazil: Confederação Brasileira de Boxe
- Argentina: Federación Argentina de Boxeo
- Germany: German Boxing Association
- Sweden: Swedish Boxing Federation
- England: England Boxing
- Netherlands: Dutch Boxing Federation
- Australia: Boxing Australia Limited
- New Zealand: Boxing New Zealand Inc
- Japan: Japan Boxing Federation
- Algeria: Algerian Boxing Federation
- Uzbekistan: Uzbekistan Boxing Federation
- Kazakhstan: Kazakhstan Boxing Federation
- Mongolia: Mongolia Boxing Federation
- Philippines: Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines
- Denmark: Danish Boxing Federation
- Honduras: Federación Hondureña de Boxeo
- Panama: Federación de Boxeo Olímpico de Panamá
- French Polynesia: Fédération de Boxe de Polynésie Française
- Iraq: Iraqi Boxing Federation
- Lithuania: Lithuanian Boxing Federation
- Madagascar: Malagasy Boxing Federation
- Kyrgyzstan: Kyrgyz Boxing Federation
- Thailand: Thailand Boxing Association
- Andorra: Andorran Boxing Federation
- Belgium: Belgian Boxing Federation
- Laos: Lao Boxing Federation
- Guatemala: Guatemalan Boxing Federation
- Suriname: Suriname Boxing Association
- US Virgin Islands: US Virgin Islands Boxing Federation
- Scotland: Boxing Scotland
- Wales: Welsh Boxing Association
- Nigeria: Nigeria Boxing Federation
- Norway: Norwegian Boxing Federation
- Iceland: Iceland Boxing Federation
- Jamaica: Jamaica Boxing Association
- Finland: Finnish Boxing Federation
- Czech Republic: Czech Boxing Association
- French Polynesia: Fédération de Boxe de Polynésie Française
- Great Britain: GB Boxing
- Iceland: Iceland Boxing Federation
- Jamaica: Jamaica Boxing Association
- Mongolia: Mongolia Boxing Federation
- Netherlands: Dutch Boxing Federation
- New Zealand: Boxing New Zealand Inc
- Nigeria: Nigeria Boxing Federation
- Norway: Norwegian Boxing Federation
- Panama: Federación de Boxeo Olímpico de Panamá
- Philippines: Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines
- Scotland: Boxing Scotland
- Wales: Welsh Boxing Association
- Suriname: Suriname Boxing Association
- US Virgin Islands: US Virgin Islands Boxing Federation
This diverse membership reflects World Boxing’s commitment to fostering a global community dedicated to the sport’s integrity and development.
“Day by day, we are working hard to transform our sport for the better, attract more responsible National Federations, establish high-quality competitions, and ensure fair officiating. I’m glad that more and more NF’s understand that our sport needs change and are ready to work together to implement it.”
“I would like to thank everyone who helps us in our mission to keep boxing in the Olympic Movement. Today, we have taken yet another step closer to achieving this goal.”
Whilst boxing has been an Olympic sport since 1904 (with the exception of 1912) it is hoped that and wished by many in the international boxing fraternity that World Boxing’s steady drive would lead to this loved sport being re-entered back into the 2028 LA Olympic Games.
