WORLD BOXING have received the backing of a former heavyweight champion as they bid to ensure boxing remains a part of the Olympic Program.
Wladimir Klitschko won the super-heavyweight gold medal for Ukraine in the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta before going on to be a dominant force in the professional ranks. Klitschko was a two-time WBO world champion and also unified the division before retiring in August 2017.
In a specially recorded 39-second video clip the 48-year-old explained why boxing should be retained for the next Olympic Games in Los Angeles in 2028.
“Boxing is one of the most spectacular and oldest sports in the Olympic program,” he said.
“Speaking as the 1996 Olympic Champion I want to advocate that boxing must be safe for LA2028.
“Boxing stands as a brilliant sport and is so good at delivering on the values of the Olympic Charter through the diversity of the athletes and in the number of countries taking part. I support World Boxing, and its President Boris van der Vorst in their efforts to achieve this goal and believe they can keep the Olympic dream of boxers alive.”
The IOC (Independent Olympic Committee) plan to make their decision on boxing’s participation at the next Games next year. World Boxing have made it their mission to take the reins and lead the sport back to the program in four years’ time.
“Wladimir Klitschko is one of the most widely admired boxers in the recent history of the sport, who has achieved an enormous amount both inside and outside of the ring, so it is great for World Boxing to have the support of such a hugely respected and knowledgeable figure,” said van der Vorst.
“That Vladimir has chosen to express his public support for World Boxing is a clear signal of the widespread recognition amongst people that care about the sport [and] of the need for change in international boxing and the critical importance of ensuring that boxing is restored to the program for Los Angles 2028 and continues to remain a part of the Olympic Movement.”
Last month former middleweight king Gennadiy Golovkin was appointed chair of World Boxing’s Olympic Commission. The 42-year-old said it is his “top priority” to preserve boxing’s status as an Olympic sport.
