World Boxing has expressed its satisfaction with the decision of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Executive Board to propose the inclusion of boxing in the sports program of the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games (LA28). The proposal will be presented this week (March 19-21, 2025) during the 144th IOC Session in Costa Navarino, Greece.
If the IOC Session approves the Executive Board’s proposal, boxing will be officially restored to the LA28 competition program. Boris van der Vorst, President of World Boxing, called the decision a significant step forward for the future of Olympic boxing: “This is a very important decision for Olympic boxing and brings the sport one step closer to being restored to the Olympic program. I have no doubt that it will be very well received by everyone involved in boxing, at all levels around the world, who understand the critical importance of boxing continuing to be part of the Olympic Movement.”
COMMITMENT TO OLYMPIC VALUES
Van der Vorst also thanked the IOC Executive Board for the confidence placed in World Boxing: “On behalf of everyone at World Boxing, I would like to thank the IOC Executive Board for the trust they have placed in our organization and we look forward to a positive outcome when the IOC Session meets this week.”
The World Boxing President underlined the organization’s commitment to the values of the Olympic Movement: “World Boxing understands that being part of the Olympic Games is a privilege and not a right, and I assure the IOC that, if boxing is restored to the LA28 program, World Boxing is fully committed to being a reliable and responsible partner that will respect and uphold the values of the Olympic Charter.”
WORLD BOXING AND ITS OLYMPIC MISSION
World Boxing was founded in April 2023 with the mission to ensure that boxing remains at the heart of the Olympic Movement. In May 2024, the organization held its first formal meeting with the IOC and, on 26 February 2025, received provisional recognition as the International Federation within the Olympic Movement charged with governing boxing worldwide.
The final decision on boxing’s inclusion in the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games will be made this week during the 144th IOC Session, marking a pivotal moment for the future of the sport on the Olympic stage.
