THE world of boxing can now breathe a universal sigh of relief, with the IOC having confirmed that the sport will be included at the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028.
Boxing’s place at the Games was in doubt after the International Olympic Committee (IOC) withdrew its recognition of IBA as the sport’s leading international federation in 2023.
This was mostly due to concerns over governance issues and a lack of financial transparency, with the International Boxing Association (IBA) having been firmly discredited as a result.
Soon after, breakaway organisation World Boxing emerged as a frontrunner to keep the sweet science at the heart of the Olympic movement.
As of now, the newly-formed body has added 84 national federations – including GB Boxing and USA Boxing – to its rapidly growing list of members.
Recognising its exponential growth, the IOC granted provisional recognition to World Boxing last month, representing an encouraging sign that the sport will indeed remain at the Olympics.
And today, it was approved at the 144th IOC Session that boxing will be included on the sports programme in Los Angeles.
This news has arrived just a few days after the IOC Executive Board made its proposal, with World Boxing now being given the green light to take charge.
The IBA, meanwhile, still boasts nearly 200 international federations, with many countries being reluctant to turn down the prize money that has been offered.
That said, the astronomical growth of World Boxing over the last two years would indicate that, come 2028, a lack of members should not be an issue.
The President of World Boxing, Boris van der Vorst, said in a press release: “This is great day for boxers, boxing and everyone connected with our sport, at every level, across the world.
“World Boxing is very grateful to the IOC for the faith they have placed in our organisation by restoring boxing to the programme for LA2028, and I can reassure them that we will do everything in our power to ensure that we operate to the highest standards of governance and transparency and deliver sporting integrity.”
Former heavyweight king Wladimir Klitschko, who claimed gold at the Atlanta Olympics in 1996, added: “This is absolutely fantastic news. Winning Olympic gold was one of the biggest highlights of my career and I would hate to see that opportunity get taken away from future generations.”
