As the International Olympic Committee tightens its grip on boxing’s future, the sport finds itself at a critical juncture, with a looming threat of being excluded from the 2028 Los Angeles Summer Games. Despite the relative incentives offered by World Boxing under the IOC’s guidance, the trust of national federations has been difficult to secure. In this volatile environment, the roles of the African and Asian Boxing Confederations are pivotal, as both regions represent key voting blocs in global boxing politics.
In Africa, with the notable exception of Nigeria, all national boxing federations continue to stand by their affiliation with the International Boxing Association. In Asia, World Boxing’s foothold is also weak, with only eight nations listed as members on the WB website. This lack of widespread commitment highlights the uncertainty surrounding WB’s appeal as a viable alternative to the troubled IBA.
The core of this crisis is the lack of consensus in forming a global federation that satisfies the IOC’s expectations. Should boxing fail to achieve this, the sport will face exclusion from the Olympic Games—a fate many in the boxing community dread. The IBA, on the other hand, continues to cling to the hope that a change in IOC leadership could restore its status. However, neither the IBA’s promises nor WB’s negotiations with senior IOC officials have delivered significant progress in stabilizing the sport’s future.
THE OLYMPIC CHARTER…
The current fractured state of boxing is too fragile to be resolved without establishing a sustainable and neutral mechanism to bridge the gap between opposing factions. Over time, it has become evident that neither the dominance of the IBA nor WB’s lobbying efforts are enough to forge a unified path forward. The sport now appears to need a third force—a neutral mediator to foster alignment around the principles of the Olympic Charter, promote transparency, and unite global boxing under a common vision.
A key figure in this ongoing power struggle is Umar Kremlev, the embattled president of the IBA, and Boris van der Vorst, the head of World Boxing. National federations have yet to commit fully to either leader, reflecting a broader uncertainty about the future of the sport. Without a central authority to evaluate the decisions made by these federations, their hesitation to throw full support behind one organization or the other remains apparent.
ASBC AND THE IOC
In this context, the Asian Boxing Confederation has emerged as a significant player. On November 23rd, the ASBC has called for a summit in Bangkok, aiming to align with the IOC’s strategies and shape the future of boxing in Asia. This decision follows the ASBC’s move to decline membership with World Boxing during its previous congress in the United Arab Emirates. In a show of balance and diplomacy, ASBC President Pichai Chunhavajira resigned from the IBA Executive Board, signaling a more independent stance in the continent’s approach to the global boxing crisis.
The ASBC’s independent policies seem more focused on keeping boxing as part of the Olympic Games rather than isolating it. The confederation recognizes that the path to establishing a global boxing federation must be based on structures accepted by the IOC. These structures ensure transparency, fairness, and meritocracy—values that are essential for a sport that wishes to retain its Olympic status.
The future of boxing remains uncertain, but what is clear is that the sport needs a new approach. Whether through a mediator or a third-party force, boxing’s various governing bodies must find common ground, align with the IOC’s requirements, and ensure the sport’s survival in the Olympic arena. Without a resolution, the rift between IBA and WB will continue to deepen, leaving boxing at risk of being sidelined on the world’s biggest sporting stage.
As boxing navigates this critical period, the role of regional organizations like the ASBC could prove decisive in steering the sport back towards a unified, meritocratic, and transparent future, ensuring that the next generation of athletes can continue to compete under the Olympic banner.
