New Boxing Body Fights for Olympic Future

Boxing has been a troubled sport as of late, with the International Boxing Association (IBA) being suspended by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in 2019. In response, a group of federations from around the world, including the United States and Britain, have announced the formation of a new boxing world body known as World Boxing. The founders of this new organization are determined to secure boxing’s future in the Olympics and have stated that they will seek recognition from the IOC. This move comes at a time when some federations have already boycotted this year’s world championships organized by the IBA. USA Boxing president Tyson Lee expressed his excitement for a change, stating that it’s time for an option that prioritizes the Olympic movement.

Boxing, a sport that has been a staple of the Olympics since 1904, faces an uncertain future in the Games after next year’s Paris event. The International Boxing Association (IBA) has been suspended by the IOC for issues surrounding governance, finance, refereeing, and ethics. As a result, the sport will not be included in the initial program for Los Angeles 2028, pending reforms. However, the interim executive board of World Boxing will be overseen by Simon Toulson, a renowned figure previously leading the International Canoe Federation and working in the IOC’s sports department and with national Olympic committees. With representatives from various countries, the hope is that boxing can make a comeback in the Olympics and continue to showcase its unique blend of athleticism and strategy for generations to come.

Boris van der Vorst, the president of the Dutch boxing federation, is part of the committee for a new boxing association known as World Boxing. The organization aims to create a better future for boxers and ensure the continuation of the sport in the Olympic Games. Leaders have announced that membership will open in May and the new body has a budget of 900,000 euros for the year. This budget will be funded through donations, membership fees, and some sponsorship revenues. With this fresh start, World Boxing hopes to unite people who share a passion for the sport and establish a brighter future for boxing.

The interim executive board of World Boxing now has athlete representatives in the form of Lauren Price and Richard Torrez Jr. Price, hailing from Wales, won the middleweight gold medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, while American Torrez secured the silver medal in the super-heavyweight category. The athlete representatives will be joined by three men and three women in the athletes’ committee. World Boxing is currently in the process of becoming a registered association under Swiss law, with plans to elect an executive board and president at an upcoming congress in November. Despite the absence of recognition from the International Olympic Committee, World Boxing’s focus remains steadfast.

Despite the ongoing tension between the International Boxing Association (IBA) and the International Olympic Committee (IOC), IOC Vice President John Coates expressed confidence in their legal position. He stated that the IOC had a free association in Switzerland, and that any legal challenge from the IBA would not be of concern. Coates also clarified that there was no rule preventing a federation from being a member of both organizations. However, relations between the two bodies have not been helped by the support of Russian energy company Gazprom for the IBA, and the federation’s leader Umar Kremlev. With such high-stakes diplomacy at play, it remains to be seen how this relationship will evolve in the future.

Last October, the governing body of Olympic boxing made a controversial decision – they lifted the ban on Russian and Belarusian boxers competing under their flags, despite the guidance of the International Olympic Committee. However, the sport of boxing has a long and storied history in the Olympics, dating back to 1904. Over the years, many countries have made their mark on the sport, with the United States leading the way with 50 gold medals and 117 medals in total. Women’s boxing was added to the programme in 2012, adding even more excitement to an already thrilling event. Despite any controversy, it’s clear that boxing continues to capture the hearts and minds of sports fans around the world at every Olympic Games.