Boxing Confirmed for the 2028 Olympics

GREECE — Boxing is on track to be part of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics following the selection of a new governing body to oversee the sport, International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach announced on Monday (Tuesday in Manila).

The IOC’s Executive Board has approved the inclusion of boxing in the 2028 Olympic program after formally recognizing World Boxing as the sport’s new regulatory authority. This move ends years of disputes and governance concerns that had put boxing’s Olympic status at risk. The decision is expected to be finalized by the full IOC Session, a meeting of around 100 members, later this week. Given the strong support from the Executive Board, the final approval is widely considered a formality.

Boxing’s place in the Olympics had been uncertain for years due to governance issues with the Russian-led International Boxing Association (IBA). The IOC had previously cut ties with the IBA over concerns related to financial mismanagement, governance failures, and ethical misconduct. As a result, the IOC itself took over the organization of boxing events at both the 2021 Tokyo Olympics and the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Bach had earlier warned that boxing would only be included in the 2028 Games if national federations could find a new and "trustworthy" international governing body. The emergence of World Boxing, which was created to restore credibility to the sport, provided a solution that the IOC was willing to accept.

Last month, the IOC provisionally recognized World Boxing, paving the way for boxing’s return to the Olympic stage. With this recognition now in place, Bach expressed confidence that the final vote in the IOC Session would go smoothly, ensuring that boxers worldwide can compete in Los Angeles 2028 under the governance of World Boxing.

“I am highly confident that the session will approve it,” Bach said on Monday. “This will give all boxers the certainty that they can participate in the Olympic Games in 2028, as long as their national federation is recognized by World Boxing.”

The IOC’s decision comes at a crucial time, as the organization is also preparing for an important leadership change. The election for Bach’s successor as IOC President is scheduled for Thursday, drawing significant interest from across the sporting world. Among the leading candidates are longtime IOC member Juan Antonio Samaranch Junior, World Athletics President Sebastian Coe, and former Olympic swimmer Kirsty Coventry of Zimbabwe. The outcome of the election is expected to influence the future direction of the Olympic movement.

With boxing’s place in the 2028 Olympics now nearly secured, the sport’s athletes and federations can move forward with greater confidence. The approval of World Boxing as the official governing body marks a fresh start, bringing stability and integrity back to the sport’s Olympic presence.

As the IOC finalizes key decisions this week, boxing fans and athletes can now look forward to seeing the sport continue its long-standing tradition at the Olympic Games, ensuring its future remains bright for years to come.


Source: https://www.manilatimes.net/2025/03/18/sports/ioc-set-to-include-boxing-in-2028-olympics/2074945