The International Olympic Committee (IOC) executive board has made strides toward including boxing at the 2028 Olympic Games, which is set to take place in Los Angeles. This recommendation, announced on March 17, 2025, follows the IOC’s provisional recognition of the newly established World Boxing as the sport’s governing body earlier this year.
Thomas Bach, President of the IOC, expressed confidence about the forthcoming vote, stating, “I am confident the session will approve it.” This sentiment reflects the push to restore boxing’s standing at the Olympics, which has faced challenges pertaining to governance since the International Boxing Association (IBA) was stripped of its recognition back in 2023.
Boxing’s exclusion from the initial lineup for the Los Angeles Games was primarily due to the IOC’s demand for the national boxing federations to form a new, global governing body. With over 80 national federations represented, World Boxing was officially launched to address these governance issues. Bach’s announcement indicates progress on this front, as both the IOC and World Boxing are working together to prepare for the 2028 Olympics.
Boris van der Vorst, President of World Boxing, emphasized the significance of the IOC’s recent decision. “This is a very significant and important decision for Olympic boxing and takes the sport one step closer to being restored to the Olympic program,” he stated. This change is expected to be positively received by boxers and supporters worldwide, who recognize the potential ramifications of boxing's Olympic presence.
Looking forward, the IOC has outlined eligibility requirements for athletes aiming to compete at the Los Angeles Games: only those whose national federations are members of World Boxing at the time of the qualification events will be able to participate. This stipulation is pivotal, as the IOC is committed to ensuring proper governance oversight and financial stability within Olympic boxing.
The IBA had been suspended by the IOC since 2019, primarily due to concerns involving governance, finance, refereeing, and ethical issues. It was notable for the IOC to withhold the IBA’s involvement during the Tokyo Games held in 2021, marking the organization's estrangement from the Olympic movement. With this newly forged structure under World Boxing, the IOC hopes to recalibrate its relationship with the sport.
While boxing has historically been considered one of the cornerstone sports of the Olympic program and continues to captivate millions, the IOC’s initiative reaffirms its commitment to maintain boxing’s relevance at the Olympics. The upcoming IOC gathering held in Greece will address this potential bold leap for the sport, affording athletes the opportunity to earn Olympic honors under new governance.
With the growing anticipation of the upcoming vote, stakeholders within the boxing community remain hopeful. Should the IOC session endorse this recommendation, it would signal not only the reinstatement of boxing but also a renewed emphasis on governance reforms, which are imperative for the integrity and future of the sport.
