The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is urging national federations to detach from the suspended International Boxing Association (IBA) and form a new governing body to ensure boxing’s place in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Since 2019, the IOC has disavowed the IBA due to financial and governance issues, with the Paris 2024 boxing events overseen by the IOC. However, boxing’s inclusion in LA28 remains uncertain without a recognised governing body.
IOC Sports Director Kit McConnell emphasised the need for a new body driven by national federations to facilitate the sport’s future participation in the Olympics. The Paris 2024 Boxing Unit, established by the IOC, currently manages Olympic qualifiers, but the IOC insists this interim measure should not be repeated.
Even if boxing is included in the 2028 Olympics, the IBA won’t be involved. Notably, a coalition of federations, including the US and UK, formed World Boxing to secure boxing’s Olympic future, seeking IOC recognition.
Meanwhile, the IBA is contesting its expulsion in the Court of Arbitration for Sport. The IOC’s stance emphasises the urgency for a reformed governance structure to safeguard boxing’s Olympic presence, highlighting the ongoing upheaval in the sport’s administration.
