Boxing faces exclusion from LA 2028 Olympics if criteria are not met
- Under pressure from the IOC, national boxing federations face a decision to establish a new global governing body.
- The IBA was stripped of its recognition by the IOC due to significant governance and ethical issues.
- The future inclusion of boxing in the LA 2028 Olympics is contingent upon timely reform and the formation of an acceptable organization.
In recent months, international boxing has faced significant challenges regarding its future in the Olympic Games. A critical meeting took place with International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach urging national boxing federations to either establish a new global organization or risk exclusion from the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. This ultimatum comes in light of the International Boxing Association's (IBA) suspension in 2019 due to governance and ethical issues, culminating in the IOC's decision to strip the IBA of recognition in 2023. Despite boxing being a consistent feature of the Olympic program since 1904, the sport's status is now uncertain. The IOC, which managed the boxing competitions at the Tokyo 2021 Olympics, has expressed serious concerns about the IBA's ability to align with international governance and ethical standards. Bach emphasized that the ball is now in the court of national boxing federations, indicating that their decisions will significantly impact whether athletes can compete and vie for medals at future Olympic Games. In 2023, a new organization known as World Boxing was formed, claiming to be a potential successor to the IBA, with 55 member federations from five continents. The IOC is closely monitoring the developments within this organization, stressing the importance of meeting its criteria for recognition. A final decision is anticipated in 2025, which will determine if World Boxing is fit to take over or if boxing will be left out entirely. The relationship between the IOC and the IBA has been contentious, especially highlighted by incidents related to gender eligibility tests during the World Championships. The fallout has raised crucial questions over governance and ethics in boxing, which the IOC intends to address before reinstating any recognition of a global governing body. As it stands, the future of boxing in the Olympic context rests heavily on the actions of national federations in forming a viable alternative to the discredited IBA.