World Boxing Gets IOC Recognition, Moves Closer to 2028 Olympics in LA

New Delhi: The IOC granted temporary recognition to World Boxing (WB) on Wednesday. This decision keeps the sport on track for inclusion in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

The International Boxing Association (IBA) lost its membership in the IOC in April 2023 due to governance and officiating concerns, putting boxing's continued existence as an Olympic sport in jeopardy. It was the IOC that managed the boxing events during the last two Olympics, in Tokyo and Paris. However, boxing is not yet included in the LA Games, and it is desired that a worldwide organization take the position of the new International Federation (IF) for boxing.

World Boxing Gains IOC Recognition

World Boxing (WB), led by Dutchman Boris van der Vorst, was formed in 2023 after splitting from IBF. It has been gaining support from national federations. On Wednesday, the IOC Executive Board granted WB provisional recognition after an assessment.

India joined WB in 2023 before the Paris Olympics. The IOC stated that WB has met the necessary criteria for recognition as an international federation. It also acknowledged WB’s progress in key areas to be recognized as the global governing body for Olympic boxing.

World Boxing’s Growing Membership

According to the IOC, there are currently four continental confederations and 78 national federations that make up the WB. The boxing organization, which was collaborating closely with the IOC, has put in place robust governance and integrity safeguards.

"WB has demonstrated that 58% of the boxing medallists and 62% of the boxers competing in the Olympic Games in Paris are connected to WB-member national federations. It has used the sports integrity procedure that the Paris Boxing Unit (IOC task force) put in place during the Olympics, including with independent supervision," the IOC said in a statement.

India to Host World Boxing Cup Final

WB has confirmed its plan to generate revenue through multi-year commercial partnerships from 2025 to 2028.

BFI has been assigned important positions in a brand-new Asian organization. Later this year, India will host the World Boxing Congress and the World Boxing Cup Final.

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World Boxing Moves Closer to Olympic Recognition

"This is a very significant day for everyone connected with the sport of boxing in the Olympic movement," Van der Vorst said in a statement after the IOC news. "We are one step closer to our goal of having boxing reinstated in the Olympic program thanks to the IOC's decision. Maintaining its spot in the Olympics is vital to the future of our sport at all levels, from amateur to professional boxing."