Boxing’s Future As An Olympic Sport Is Under Threat
Boxing faces a battle to remain an Olympic sport, leaving fighters with an uncertain future.
Boxing is currently not in the initial plans for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Any decision on the sport will take place next year, which will be pivotal to the future of the sport. The Olympics have churned out numerous super stars such as Anthony Joshua and Oleksandr Usyk, who both won gold at London 2012.
However, the International Boxing Association (IBA) was removed by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) as a boxing governing body due to worries over governance and judging. The IOC has said it will not include boxing in the Olympics unless a new governing body exists. This is worrying for the following reasons. Grassroots boxing is essential for allowing fighters to transition from the amateur to the pro ranks.
WBA’s Role
The experience is vital in exposing fighters to numerous styles before becoming professional. Boxers without an amateur record often struggle more in the pro ranks due to varying styles. It may also reduce the accessibility of the sport to more people. Boxing is already a sport with less funding, requiring fighters to spend mass amounts on a team out of their own pockets. World Boxing’s President, Boris van der Vorst, wants the organization to be recognized as the new governing body.
“We are the only pathway now to keeping boxing in the Olympic movement. I think we are in good shape but we need more global representation and that’s why I am here. Time is running out; to be re-included in the Olympic programme for LA ‘28, boxing needs an international body that can take care of the sport.
“World Boxing is the body. The re-inclusion will take place in March next year. So, by the end of this year we need to get official recognition. We are working hard to achieve that. We have 45 approved members and a lot of national federations are applying. The process is on. We are covering all five continents. We will get there,” Van der Vorst said
Boxing’s Future
The first WB Congress took place last November. There were 27 members. However, following a meeting at the Asian Boxing Confederation, a resolution to join the WBA was defeated. The vote was 21-14 against it. Of the 43 boxing federations in Asia, only nine joined. One of those which joined was India. The IBA still has a strong connection in Africa, with only Nigeria not participating. But Van der Vorst was confident about India’s role moving forward.
:Asia and India will have an important voice within world boxing and India hopefully will be part of the committee on board. Mr Singh [Ajay Singh from Boxing Federation of India] is doing a great job by taking a more leading role in the region. It’s a transitional period and you have to give boxers all possibilities to compete. We are focussing on developing an excellent calendar and giving plenty of opportunities to all regions,” Van der Vorst stated
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