The world of boxing continues to evolve, with the emergence of World Boxing as a potential new global governing body. Following the International Boxing Association (IBA) being stripped of its Olympic recognition last year, World Boxing has been gaining momentum, and now welcomes two new members: Algeria and Japan.
This addition brings the total number of national federations affiliated with World Boxing to 44. Notably, seven new members have joined since the recent Paris Olympics, highlighting the organization’s growing influence.
The inclusion of Algeria and Japan is significant, expanding World Boxing’s presence across Asia and Africa. “The additions of Japan and Algeria enhance the global profile of World Boxing by increasing our presence in Asia and Africa,” said head of World Boxing Boris van der Vorst. “Their decision to join World Boxing is further evidence of the widespread desire for change that exists across our sport and illustrates how important it is that we retain boxing’s place at the heart of the Olympic Movement.”
Algeria’s decision to join World Boxing comes after a tumultuous year, marked by the IBA’s controversial decision to disqualify their athlete, Imane Khelif, from the 2023 World Championships. This decision was based on sex chromosome tests deemed ineligible by the IBA, but the IOC later cleared Khelif to compete at the Paris Games, where she won a gold medal.
The IOC’s decision to allow Khelif and Taiwan’s Lin Yu-ting to compete in Paris, despite the IBA’s stance, demonstrated the growing tensions between the two organizations. This decision also highlighted the broader issue of transparency and fairness in the sport, emphasizing the need for a new governing body to ensure a level playing field for all athletes.
The IOC has yet to include boxing in the 2028 Los Angeles Games program. A decision is expected in 2025, and the organization has urged national boxing federations to establish a new global body to replace the IBA. This decision is crucial for the future of boxing, as missing out on the Olympics could have significant repercussions for the sport.
The rise of World Boxing and the ongoing controversy surrounding the IBA underscore the need for reform in the world of boxing. As the sport navigates these challenging times, the decisions made by national federations, athletes, and governing bodies will have far-reaching implications for the future of boxing on the global stage.
