Boxing is on the verge of reclaiming its place at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games after the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Executive Board officially recommended its inclusion. The decision, announced at a meeting in Costa Navarino, Greece, paves the way for a crucial vote by the 144th IOC Session, which begins tomorrow. If approved, this will provide long-awaited certainty for boxers worldwide, ensuring their participation under the governance of World Boxing (WB), the newly recognized International Federation (IF) for the sport.
IOC President Thomas Bach expressed confidence in the final approval, stating, “After the provisional recognition of World Boxing in February, we were in the position to take this decision. I am very confident that the session will approve it so that all the boxers of the world then have certainty that they can participate in the Olympic Games LA 2028 if their national federation is recognised by World Boxing.” This comes after the controversial expulsion of the International Boxing Association (IBA) in 2023 due to governance and financial mismanagement, which initially led to boxing’s exclusion from the LA28 programme.
World Boxing, founded in 2023 in response to the IBA’s failures, has rapidly gained legitimacy. Initially comprising just 37 national federations at the conclusion of the Paris 2024 Olympics, the organization now boasts 84 member federations. A statement on its website highlights its mission to restore credibility to Olympic boxing: “World Boxing was established by a group of like-minded individuals from a number of National Federations across the world in response to the persistent issues surrounding Olympic-style boxing’s international governing body.” The organization emphasizes integrity, transparency, and governance reforms, aligning with IOC principles.
With the IBA sidelined, the IOC took direct control of boxing competitions at the Tokyo 2021 and Paris 2024 Olympics, ensuring fair competition in the absence of a recognized global governing body. Reacting to the IOC Executive Board’s latest recommendation, World Boxing President Boris van der Vorst hailed the decision as a defining moment for the sport. “This is a very significant and important decision for Olympic boxing and takes the sport one step closer to being restored to the Olympic programme,” he remarked. “World Boxing understands that being part of the Olympic Games is a privilege, not a right, and I assure the IOC that if boxing is restored to LA28, we are fully committed to upholding the values of the Olympic Charter.”
With anticipation building, all eyes are now on the IOC Session, where the final decision will be made. A positive outcome will not only secure boxing’s place in Los Angeles 2028 but also cement World Boxing’s status as the sport’s new global custodian. For athletes, officials, and fans, this could mark the beginning of a new era—one defined by governance, integrity, and a renewed commitment to Olympic excellence.
Phoro: IOC Media
