World Boxing Works to Add New Members for IOC Recognition

World Boxing told The Associated Press on Thursday it is holding talks with up to 30 new members on top of its existing group as it seeks to be the International Olympic Committee’s preferred partner to run boxing tournaments at the 2028 Olympic Summer Games in Los Angeles.

World Boxing announced in March that it would seek recognition from the International Olympic Committee in a bid to secure boxing’s spot in the 2028 Olympic Summer Games in Los Angeles after the IOC reminded the boxing world that its spot is not secure going forward in the Games. World Boxing reported 27 member federations at its November 2023 founding Congress including USA Boxing.

World Boxing was established in April 2023 and is seeking to take over the mantle of an IOC-recognized international federation. The IOC withdrew the recognition of the IBA in June 2023, ending a years-long dispute.

“We’re in excess of 25, 30 countries asking us quickly if they can apply,” World Boxing Secretary General Simon Toulson said Thursday. “And I think there’s another 25, 30 countries behind them that are starting to assess the implications and how they can join.”

In World Boxing’s current member list, only Nigeria is an African member and two are from Asia. Toulson told The Associated Press would likely be “almost at double figures” for each continent when prospective members are included.

When expelling the IBA, the IOC said boxing will keep its spot on the program at the LA28 Games but in the time since it, its position was put on hold because there is no IOC-recognized international federation.

“If there is no boxing body supported and driven by the National Federations, we will not be in a position to include boxing in the (LA28) Olympic program,” IOC Sports Director Kit McConnell said in late March.  “It’s now up to the National Federations to drive this change and to work to create a body that we can work in partnership with, because we cannot move forward with this current situation.”

The IOC is organizing the qualification process for this summer’s Games in Paris as part of its long-running drama with the IBA. It said 188 boxers from 56 National Olympic Committees have so far secured places for Paris. The final qualifying tournament will be held in Bangkok from May 25 to June 2 with 51 places available.

“We do need to see progress, not a deadline as such,” McConnell said of a timeline for a LA28 decision on boxing. “Progress from the NF making it very clear that they are supporting the development of a new boxing body that we can work in partnership with … that will not be the IBA.”