As the boxing world remains fractured, the recent addition of Japan and Algeria’s national boxing federations to World Boxing brings the organization’s total to 44 member nations. Yet, despite this growing roster, the sport’s global community is far from unified. Instead, it finds itself trapped in a deep, complex divide, with little progress toward resolving the rift that has plagued boxing for years.
At the heart of this schism lies a struggle for power among key figures, whose ambitions for leadership have taken precedence over the health and future of the sport. A look at the past reveals that the fate of boxing has consistently been entangled in the stubbornness of a select few, determined to preserve their authority. Critical moments, when disputes could have been settled through negotiation, instead saw leaders choosing confrontation, with a resolve to eliminate rivals at any cost. This inflexibility has led to missed opportunities for resolution, leaving boxing in a state of disarray.
Despite these challenges, a handful of individuals have managed to keep the sport alive on the global stage. Without their efforts, boxing would not be a part of the Paris 2024 Olympics, nor would athletes have the support they need. Many national federations, while hesitant to fully commit to World Boxing, are actively working to ensure their athletes can compete at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics. Their aim is to navigate the sport through this turmoil with minimal disruption.
Tatsuya Nakama, President of the Japan Boxing Federation, shed light on this uncertain landscape during a recent conversation with Sportsin. “We have joined World Boxing, but have not withdrawn from the IBA or ASBC,” Nakama said. “Our top priority is to ensure boxing remains an Olympic sport.” His comments reflect the cautious stance of many national federations, like Japan, that have aligned with World Boxing but are reluctant to completely sever ties with the International Boxing Association or the Asian Boxing Confederation.
Nakama’s remarks underscore a larger truth: the future of boxing is anything but certain. The formation of a unified global federation that fosters solidarity within the sport has yet to materialize. The hope for a single, cohesive governing body remains distant, as boxing remains caught between competing interests. This uncertainty deepened when the Swiss Federal Court refused to consider the IBA’s appeal against a Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) ruling.
A third, neutral figure may be necessary to take immediate steps toward unifying international boxing. More importantly, the international boxing community must be consulted, ensuring the will of the International Olympic Committee is considered. The IOC has been clear in its demand for a new, credible federation to work with, a condition that remains non-negotiable.
Meanwhile, political maneuvering has become commonplace in boxing’s leadership circles. Officials seeking to outmaneuver one another frequently exploit mistakes or missteps, igniting media controversies that cloud the situation further. These tactics distract from the real issues at hand, allowing those in power to manipulate the narrative while the sport and its athletes suffer the consequences.
Algeria’s decision to join World Boxing, despite imperfections, serves as a case in point. The media storm surrounding an Algerian boxer could have been addressed well before the Olympics, with expert opinions and testing bringing clarity. However, the issue was left unresolved, and the damage fell squarely on the athletes and the sport itself.
In the end, it is the boxers who bear the brunt of these political squabbles. As the battle for control over the sport rages on, the athletes remain caught in the middle, with their futures hanging in the balance. If boxing is to regain stability and secure its place in the Olympics, its leaders must prioritize the well-being of the sport over their personal ambitions. Until then, boxing will remain fractured, and its future uncertain.
With Los Angeles 2028 on the horizon, there is still time for national federations to come together—but the clock is ticking. The question remains: will the boxing community finally choose cooperation over conflict, or will the sport continue to suffer from the same political infighting that has plagued it for years?
