Boxing, one of the most emblematic and oldest sports of the Olympic Games, seems to have secured its continuity in the Olympic program thanks to the provisional recognition of World Boxing (WB) as an International Federation by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). This achievement, announced Wednesday, marks a turning point in the recent history of Olympic boxing, which had been in jeopardy due to conflicts between the IOC and the IBA (International Boxing Association).

BOXING, A HISTORIC SPORT AT THE OLYMPIC GAMES

Boxing has been part of the modern Olympic Games since its inclusion in 1904, with the exception of the 1912 Stockholm Games. For more than a century, the sport has been a platform for athletes from around the world to demonstrate their talent, discipline and competitive spirit. Greats such as Muhammad Ali, George Foreman and Teofilo Stevenson began their legendary careers in the Olympic ring, making boxing a symbol of sporting excellence and a showcase for self-improvement stories.

However, in recent years, boxing’s future in the Olympic Games was in doubt due to the IBA’s governance and transparency issues, which led the IOC to suspend its recognition in 2019.

DIFFERENCES BETWEEN IOC AND IBA

The relationship between the IOC and the IBA (formerly known as AIBA) deteriorated severely due to a series of issues that compromised the integrity of Olympic boxing. Among the IOC’s main concerns were allegations of corruption, manipulation of results in international competitions, and opaque financial management.

In 2019, the IOC made the unprecedented decision to suspend the IBA’s recognition as an International Federation, directly taking over the organization of boxing tournaments at the Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Despite the IBA’s attempts to regain its credibility, including changes in its leadership and promises of reforms, the IOC found the progress insufficient. This left boxing in a precarious position within the Olympic program, with its continuity in Los Angeles 2028 seriously threatened.

WORLD BOXING AND A NEW BEGINNING

In this context, the creation of World Boxing in 2023 represented an opportunity for a new beginning. In just two years, this organization has made significant progress in governance, transparency and compliance with the international standards required by the IOC.

Among World Boxing’s most notable achievements are:

• The affiliation of 78 National Federations from five continents, with four continental confederations already established.
• The implementation of a strong governance framework, including a Code of Ethics, a Conflict of Interest Policy and a Finance and Audit Committee.
• Obtaining signatory status to the World Anti-Doping Code, accepted by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), and full implementation of a contract with the International Testing Agency (ITA).
• Demonstrating a commitment to sporting integrity by implementing independent monitoring processes during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

In addition, World Boxing has secured multi-year commercial agreements that guarantee its financial sustainability through 2028, reinforcing its ability to lead boxing globally.

LOS ANGELES 2028

World Boxing’s provisional recognition by the IOC not only represents an endorsement of its work in governance and transparency, but also virtually assures boxing’s presence at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. This achievement is a testament to the collective effort of the boxing community to overcome past challenges and ensure a bright future for the sport on the Olympic stage.

With World Boxing at the helm, boxing has the opportunity to regain its place as one of the most prominent sports at the Olympic Games, offering athletes a fair and transparent platform to compete at the highest level. Furthermore, this recognition reinforces the IOC’s commitment to sporting integrity and good governance, marking a new chapter in the history of Olympic boxing.

Boxing’s return to a stable position within the Olympic Movement is a victory not only for the athletes, but also for the fans and communities who see the sport as a source of inspiration and pride. With Los Angeles 2028 on the horizon, boxing is poised to write a new chapter in its rich Olympic history, demonstrating that, with leadership and commitment, it is possible to overcome challenges and preserve the essence of one of the most iconic sports of the Olympic Games.