In a landmark move, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has provisionally recognized World Boxing as the new governing body for Olympic boxing, officially sidelining the controversial International Boxing Association (IBA).
The decision, announced on Wednesday, marks a major shift for the sport, which had been plagued by governance, financial, and ethical concerns under the IBA’s leadership. The IBA, previously led by Russia’s Kremlin-linked Umar Kremlev, was stripped of its Olympic status after repeated clashes with the IOC.
A New Era for Olympic Boxing
Founded in 2023, World Boxing has quickly gained momentum, securing the backing of 78 national federations, including powerhouses like the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Australia, and Brazil.
IOC President Thomas Bach had earlier cautioned that if boxing wanted to remain on the program for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, it needed a “reliable and transparent” governing body.
IOC’s Verdict
In a statement, the IOC emphasized that World Boxing has demonstrated strong efforts in governance, ethics, and compliance with Olympic standards, making it the rightful overseer of the sport’s future at the Games.
With this recognition, World Boxing now takes a crucial step toward securing boxing’s place in future Olympics, ensuring athletes have a fair and corruption-free environment on the world’s biggest stage.
