The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has taken a drastic step in its ongoing feud with the International Boxing Association (IBA), effectively demanding that member countries disassociate themselves from national boxing federations that remain aligned with the suspended body. This directive, which the IBA has condemned as “unacceptable gaslighting”, carries a hefty consequence: boxers affiliated with such federations will be barred from competing in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
In a letter addressed to National Olympic Committees (NOCs) on September 30, the IOC reiterated its stance, emphasizing that boxing federations failing to sever ties with the IBA will be excluded from the prestigious games. “NOCs shall no longer affiliate or maintain institutional relations with national boxing federations that are still affiliated to the IBA,” the IOC stated unequivocally in its letter. The IOC further warned, “…any boxer whose national federation adheres to the IBA will not be able to participate in the LA28 Olympic Games. The NOC concerned must exclude such a national boxing federation from its members.”
This latest development comes just weeks after the Asian Boxing Confederation (ASBC) rejected a proposal to break away from the IBA and join World Boxing, an organization backed by the IOC. India, which had previously joined World Boxing earlier this year, also maintained its membership with the IBA, a decision that drew criticism from the IBA, which warned the country against “sailing in two boats.” The situation remains unclear regarding India’s dual membership.
The IBA, currently suspended due to governance issues and allegations of corruption, reacted with outrage to the IOC’s latest communication to NOCs, labeling it an attempt to infringe upon the independence of federations. In a media release, the IBA described the letter as “deeply disappointing, and on the verge of sporting blackmail.”
IBA Secretary General and CEO Chris Roberts penned a letter to the NOCs, outlining the organization’s perspective. “The unprecedented pressure from the IOC towards those NOCs is classed as ‘direct interference’ to independent IBA members’ agendas, who expressed their democratic will to be part of the IBA and a democratically elected President that they trust,” the letter stated. “We urge our National Federations to remain calm, and not to follow these ‘gaslighting’ intentions of the IOC, who wants to damage boxing. With an attempt to influence members behind the scenes, is not the way we would expect this organisation to operate,” the IBA added.
Notably, the IBA has not been responsible for organizing Olympic boxing competitions in the past two editions due to its suspension. Boxing is currently absent from the 2028 LA Olympic program. According to the IOC, a recognized International Federation must be established by early 2025, with the IBA deemed no longer a viable option, to ensure boxing’s inclusion in the LA Games.
