The 2028 Los Angeles Olympics moved closer to retaining boxing after the International Olympic Committee granted provisional recognition to World Boxing, a new governing body formed to rescue the sport’s troubled Olympic legacy. The IOC confirmed Wednesday that 62% of athletes from the 2023 Paris Games now align with World Boxing, signaling confidence in its governance reforms.
This decision brings us one step closer to preserving boxing at the Olympic Games,said Gennady Golovkin, World Boxing’s commission head and former middleweight champion.
The IOC severed ties with the International Boxing Association (IBA) in 2023 following years of financial mismanagement and judging scandals. Key issues included:
- Unverified judging systems during Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020
- IBA’s refusal to implement gender equity policies
- Ongoing ties to Russian state-sponsored energy firm Gazprom
World Boxing’s emergence marks a pivotal shift. The organization has recruited 27 national federations since its 2023 launch, including the U.S., Germany, and Britain. However, challenges persist as IBA president Umar Kremlev vows criminal complaints against the IOC in three countries over disputed women’s boxing rulings at the Paris Games.
With the IOC refusing to organize another Olympic tournament itself, Los Angeles 2028 organizers now seek stability. We’re rebuilding trust through transparent scoring and anti-doping protocols,a World Boxing spokesperson told AP.
