The International Olympic Committee (IOC), under the leadership of its outgoing president Thomas Bach, has paved the way for boxing’s inclusion in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games. This decision marks a significant turning point for the sport, which faced potential exclusion due to long-standing governance issues surrounding the previous governing body, the International Boxing Association (AIBA). The IOC’s recognition of World Boxing, a newly formed organization, as the sport’s international governing body, signifies a fresh start for Olympic boxing and provides a much-needed sense of stability and certainty for athletes worldwide. The IOC’s Executive Board has already approved the inclusion of boxing in the 2028 program, and while a final ratification by the full IOC Session is pending, it is largely considered a formality. This move brings an end to years of uncertainty and allows boxers to focus on their training and qualification pathways for the upcoming Games.
The journey to reinstate boxing’s Olympic status has been a complex one. The IOC severed ties with AIBA due to a multitude of concerns, including financial mismanagement, ethical breaches, and questionable governance practices. The turmoil within AIBA reached a point where the IOC took the unprecedented step of directly organizing the boxing tournaments at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics (held in 2021) and the Paris 2024 Olympics. This direct intervention underscored the IOC’s commitment to preserving boxing’s Olympic presence while simultaneously addressing the deep-rooted issues plaguing its administration. Bach’s firm stance, demanding a “reliable” international partner for boxing’s future Olympic participation, served as a catalyst for the formation and eventual recognition of World Boxing.
World Boxing emerges as a beacon of hope for the sport, promising greater transparency, accountability, and athlete-centric governance. The organization’s provisional recognition by the IOC in the preceding month laid the groundwork for this crucial decision regarding the 2028 Games. Bach’s expressed confidence in the upcoming IOC Session’s approval reflects the widespread support for World Boxing and its potential to revitalize the sport’s Olympic standing. With this new leadership structure in place, boxing can move forward with a renewed focus on fair play, athlete welfare, and the integrity of the competition.
The successful integration of boxing into the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics carries substantial implications for the sport’s global development. The Olympic Games hold unparalleled prestige and provide a platform for boxers to showcase their skills on the world stage. For many athletes, Olympic participation represents the pinnacle of their careers, offering a unique opportunity to compete against the best in the world and potentially achieve lifelong dreams of Olympic glory. Moreover, Olympic inclusion provides essential funding and resources for national boxing federations, enabling them to develop talent, enhance training programs, and expand access to the sport at the grassroots level. The stability provided by World Boxing’s recognition empowers national federations to plan strategically for the future and create sustainable pathways for aspiring boxers.
The IOC’s decision transcends mere sporting considerations and carries broader social significance. Boxing, often viewed as a pathway for individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds to achieve upward mobility, provides a platform for personal growth, discipline, and community engagement. The sport’s inclusion in the Olympics strengthens its capacity to serve as a vehicle for social change and empower communities around the world. Moreover, the renewed focus on ethical governance within boxing aligns with the Olympic values of fair play, respect, and excellence, fostering a more positive and inclusive environment for athletes, coaches, and officials alike.
As boxing looks ahead to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, the sport enters a new era of hope and opportunity. With World Boxing at the helm, the future of Olympic boxing appears brighter and more stable than it has in recent years. The focus now shifts towards building on this positive momentum, strengthening athlete development programs, and ensuring that the sport’s Olympic presence remains a source of pride and inspiration for generations to come. The transition to a new IOC president, to be elected this week, will also be a key moment for the future direction of the sport within the Olympic movement. The front-runners, including veteran IOC member Juan Antonio Samaranch Junior, World Athletics President Sebastian Coe, and former Olympic swimmer Kirsty Coventry, represent diverse backgrounds and perspectives, and their leadership will undoubtedly shape the future of the Games and the role of boxing within them.
