World Boxing has outlined a strategic "pathway" aimed at securing boxing's inclusion in the Olympic program for the Los Angeles 2028 Games. The sport's future in the Olympics is uncertain due to an ongoing feud between the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the International Boxing Association (IBA), formerly known as AIBA.
The IBA, currently led by Russian chairman Umar Kremlev, has been at the center of controversy. The IOC permanently stripped the IBA of its Olympic recognition last year, citing "governance issues" and widespread allegations of corruption. Kremlev has faced accusations of ties to the Kremlin and financing corruption, further fueling the crisis. Due to these issues, the IOC assumed responsibility for organizing the boxing events at Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 but has refused to do so for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics. Instead, the IOC has challenged new organizations to prove themselves capable of overseeing the sport.
World Boxing, a newly formed entity, believes it can rise to this challenge. Boris van der Vorst, the president of World Boxing, has revealed that numerous national federations have submitted membership applications during the ongoing Paris Olympics. Van der Vorst, who was controversially defeated in his bid to become IBA president in 2022, insists that national federations must join World Boxing if they wish to see their athletes compete in Olympic Boxing.
"World Boxing has established a relationship with the IOC, following a meeting in May 2024, and has developed a pathway to ensure boxing is restored to the Olympic program for Los Angeles 2028," Van der Vorst stated.
"This pathway depends on the support of national federations, and the IOC has made it clear that any country wanting its boxers to compete in future Olympic Games must take immediate steps to join World Boxing. This is the only way to ensure that Paris 2024 is not the last time we see boxing in the Olympics. We cannot allow Olympic Boxing to disappear, and I urge every national federation that cares about their boxers and the sport's future to join World Boxing now. Together, we can secure boxing's place in the heart of the Olympic Movement."
Regarding membership, Van der Vorst added, "Since the IOC expelled the previous international federation, it has become evident that the only way boxing will return to the Olympic program for Los Angeles 2028 is through a trusted and reliable International Federation with the support of National Federations.
World Boxing is that federation. We are committed to creating a sustainable and inclusive sporting structure, underpinned by strong governance and transparent financial management, ensuring that all boxers can compete and excel with confidence in the sport's integrity and fair competition.
"Heading into the Paris Games, World Boxing was recognized as a credible organization with 37 member national federations representing every continent involved in boxing. Throughout the tournament, we have received several new membership applications from national federations. After extensive conversations with boxing leaders worldwide over the past two weeks in Paris, I am confident we will soon have over 50 members, as many national federation leaders have assured me they will apply to join World Boxing once this tournament concludes."
By establishing a clear pathway and gaining the trust of national federations, World Boxing aims to restore the sport's status within the Olympic framework and move past the controversies that have plagued the IBA under Kremlev's leadership. The organization is determined to ensure that boxing remains a key event in the Olympic Games, free from the shadow of corruption and governance failures that have threatened its future.
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