Boxing is poised to make a comeback to the Olympic Games, with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) executive board recommending its inclusion in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
This decision comes after the sport was initially excluded from the program.
The key factor driving this reversal is the emergence of World Boxing, a new international governing body led by Boris Van der Borst.
Many countries, including India, have aligned themselves with World Boxing, effectively shifting the control of boxing’s Olympic future away from the International Boxing Association (IBA).
The formalization of boxing’s re-inclusion is expected at the IOC session in Greece this week. “After the provisional recognition of World Boxing in February we were in a position to take this decision,” stated IOC President Thomas Bach on Monday.
“This recommendation has to go to the session, but I am very confident they will approve it so that all the boxers of the world then have certainty they can participate in the Olympic Games in LA.”
The IOC’s move to grant provisional status to World Boxing in February paved the way for this decision. The IOC, under Bach’s leadership, has been critical of the IBA, citing concerns about its Russian leadership, financial influences, and persistent issues with scoring irregularities that have plagued the sport since the 10-9 scoring system was introduced after the 2016 Rio Olympics.
Boris van der Vorst, President of World Boxing, expressed his delight at the announcement.
“This is a very significant and important decision for Olympic boxing and takes the sport one step closer to being restored to the Olympic programme,” he said.
“I have no doubt it will be very positively received by everyone connected with boxing, at every level throughout the world, who understands the critical importance to the future of the sport of boxing continuing to remain a part of the Olympic movement.”
Van der Vorst further emphasized World Boxing’s commitment to upholding Olympic values.
“World Boxing understands that being part of the Olympic Games is a privilege and not a right and I assure the IOC that if boxing is restored to the programme for LA28, that World Boxing is completely committed to being a trustworthy and reliable partner that will adhere to and uphold the values of the Olympic Charter.”
The expected approval at the IOC session in Greece will bring much-needed certainty to boxers worldwide, ensuring their opportunity to compete on the Olympic stage in Los Angeles in 2028.
