Joe
As the countdown to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games begins, the future of boxing, one of the most historic Olympic sports, hangs in the balance. Due to ongoing governance issues and international disputes, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) may exclude the sport from the LA Games.
Boxing, a staple of the Olympics since 1904, faces an uncertain future after the IOC revoked the recognition of the International Boxing Association (IBA) last year. The decision came after the IBA failed to address critical issues related to governance, finance, and ethics.
IOC President Thomas Bach has expressed a strong desire to see boxing remain part of the Olympic program, stating, “The IOC would love to have boxing at the Los Angeles 2028 Games.” However, he emphasized the urgency of the situation, saying, “We cannot wait longer than the end of next year.”
The IOC has given a deadline of 2025 for the establishment of a new global governing body for boxing, which is essential for the sport’s inclusion in the 2028 Games. In response, a new organization, World Boxing, was established in 2023 and has since gained 37 national federation members. However, this number is still significantly lower than the IBA’s membership.
World Boxing President Boris Van Der Vorst remains optimistic, stating, “There’s only one reason to join [World Boxing], and that’s to save our sport.” He is aiming to expand the organization’s influence and membership, with hopes of securing at least 50 federations in the weeks following the Paris Olympics.
Despite these efforts, the path forward is challenging, particularly due to the reluctance of some of the world’s top boxing federations to sever their longstanding ties with the IBA.
The IOC has made it clear that without a credible and universally recognized governing body, boxing’s place in the Los Angeles 2028 Games is far from guaranteed. The sport’s future now depends on World Boxing’s ability to unite the global boxing community and lead the sport into a new era.
