World Boxing Explained

World Boxing
Abbreviation:WB
Established:-->
Founders:-->
Founding Location: Renens, Lausanne, Switzerland
Defunct:-->
Type:Boxing federation
Vat Id:(for European organizations) -->
Focus:-->
Headquarters:Chemin du Levant 6, Renens, 1020, Switzerland
Region Served:Worldwide
Area Served:or
Region:-->
Product:-->
Method:-->
Field:-->
Membership:55 national federations
Languages:-->
Owners:-->
Leader Title:President
Leader Name: Boris van der Vorst
Leader Title2:Vice-President(s)
Publication:-->
Parent Organisation:-->
Former Name:-->

World Boxing is an international sports organization regulating amateur boxing. It was formed in response to the breakdown in relations between the International Olympic Committee and the Russian-led International Boxing Association over governance and integrity problems in the latter.[1]

World Boxing is campaigning to keep boxing as an Olympic sport after the 2024 Summer Olympics, when the IOC's qualification arrangements expired.[2] They claim they are the only international boxing federation that can keep boxing in the Summer Olympics.[3]

History

Common Cause Alliance

The International Boxing Association (IBA) had been suspended by the IOC in 2019 due to issues surrounding its governance and finances. Further scrutiny emerged under the presidency of Umar Kremlev—which began in 2020—including allegations of increased Russian influence (including close ties to president Vladimir Putin, a sponsorship agreement with state-owned oil company Gazprom, and having moved some of its operations to Russia), and concerns over governance, finances, and the integrity of officiating.[4] [5] [6] [7] [8]

Amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, 18 boxing national federations formed a consortium known as the "Common Cause Alliance" (CCA), which called for greater transparency on its finances (including the aforementioned Gazprom agreement), determine the detrimental effects of the invasion on the IBA, and for it to take stronger action against the Russian Boxing Federation. The CCA also pledged support for boxing to continue being a Summer Olympic sport.[9] [10] [11]

During the IBA Congress in May 2022, one day before a presidential vote, five candidates connected to the CCA were deemed ineligible by IBA's Interim Nomination Unit, accusing them of engaging in prohibited "collaborations" and campaigning outside of the designated period. One of the candidates—Dutch official Boris van der Vorst—filed for an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), stating that the candidates had been approved by the IBA's Disciplinary Committee, which had also approved the CCA's activities as being supportive of the IBA's mission.[12] [13] The CAS overruled the IBA decision, resulting in an Extraordinary IBA Congress in September; however, the IBA's members blocked van der Vorst's proposal to challenge Kremlev's re-election. By December 2022, the membership of the Common Cause Alliance has grown to 25 federations.[14]

Formation of World Boxing

In April 2023, the IOC stated that it needs to have a partner International Federation for boxing by early 2025, otherwise the sport's presence at the 2028 Summer Olympics would be at risk.[15] On 13 April 2023, World Boxing was launched as a competitor to the IBA, with its interim board including officials from member organizations of the CCA, and van der Vorst named inaugural president.[16] [17] [18] The IBA condemned World Boxing as a "rogue organization" whose sole purpose was to destroy the IBA's integrity, and threatened sanctions against national federations, athletes, and officials who participate in its events.[19] [20]

On 22 June 2023, the IOC Executive Board voted to permanently withdraw its recognition of the IBA, citing a continued lack of progress on governance, finances, and addressing corruption since its original suspension.[21] On 7 May 2024, World Boxing held its first formal meeting with the IOC, discussing the future of Olympic boxing, and the criteria that would have to be met for the IOC to recognize World Boxing as the governing body for boxing.[22]

On 26 September 2024, it was announced that Kazakhstani Olympic medallist Gennadiy Golovkin would lead World Boxing's Olympic Commission, serving as a liaison between World Boxing and the IOC on matters relating to Olympic boxing.[23]

Anti-Doping Policies

On 2 October 2024, World Boxing announced a four-year agreement to delegate drug testing activities to the International Testing Agency (ITA).[24]

On 10 October 2024, World Boxing agreed to delegate adjudication on all anti-doping violations to the Anti-Doping Division of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS AAD).[25]

Competitions

World Boxing Championships

On 17 September 2024, World Boxing announced the M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool, England, would host the organisation's inaugural World Boxing Championships from 4 to 14 September 2025.[26] [27] [28] [29]

U19 World Boxing Championships

On 19 June 2024, World Boxing announced the inaugural U19 World Boxing Championships to be held in Pueblo, Colorado from 25 October to 5 November 2024, held across 10 weight categories for both men and women.[30]

Member federations

World Boxing currently has 55 member federations - 3 from Africa, 16 from the Americas, 15 from Asia, 16 from Europe, and 5 from Oceania.[31]

History of Expansion
DateCountries
13 April 2023 The US, New Zealand, Australia, the UK, England (separately), and the Netherlands were World Boxing's first cohort of members
24 August 2023 Canada, Brazil, Argentina, Germany, Honduras and Sweden joined.
12 September 2023 Denmark, Mongolia, Panama and French Polynesia (Tahiti).
20 October 2023 Finland, Iceland, Jamaica, Nigeria, Norway and Czechia.
25 October 2023 The Philippines, Scotland, Wales, Suriname and the US Virgin Islands.
? Tuvalu joins World Boxing before the 1 year anniversary.
May 31, 2024 India.
21 June 2024 Barbados, Dominica, Peru and Singapore.
26 July 2024 Italy, South Korea, Bermuda and the Cayman Islands.
10 August 2024In a report published, the Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines president Ricky Vargas told The Philippine Star that he believed that the IOC would recognise World Boxing if they admitted at least 50 members, and claimed that the body was about to pass that threshold with 51.[32]
16 August 2024 Chinese Tapei, Pakistan, Bhutan, Fiji, Ecuador.
10 September 2024 Japan, Algeria.
26 September 2024 Kazakhstan filed a submission to join on 26 September.[33]
3 October 2024 During Panam Sports' general assembly on 3 October 2024, World Boxing stated that it had 48 members (including four unannounced members), with 10 under review.[34]
31 October 2024 On 31 October 2024, World Boxing announced the admission of Andorra, Belgium, Iraq, Lithuania, Madagascar, Kyrgyzstan and Thailand, expanding its presence in Asia, and bringing its total to 51 federations.[35]
4 November 2024 On 4 November 2024 the admission of Guatemala, Laos, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan—which had won the most gold medals in boxing at the 2024 Summer Olympics was announced.[36]

Africa

Americas

Asia

Europe

In addition, GB Boxing is an associate member: this is because the governance of amateur boxing in the United Kingdom, like cricket, football and rugby union, is devolved to the Home Nations.

Oceania

Presidents

Tournaments

Notes and References

  1. News: International Boxing Association stripped by International Olympic Committee of status. BBC Sport. 22 June 2023.
  2. News: Fresh twist in boxing saga as new body, World Boxing, launches to save sport . 4 May 2023 . The New Indian Express . 14 April 2023.
  3. Web site: World Boxing approves applications from four more National Federations to increase membership to 33 countries. World Boxing. 12 July 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240712213810/https://worldboxing.org/world-boxing-approves-applications-from-four-more-national-federations-to-increase-membership-to-33-countries/. 12 July 2024. Renens. en-gb. 21 June 2024.
  4. News: 2022-12-11 . Putin's ally running world amateur boxing looks to uphold Russian soft power . 2024-08-07 . Le Monde . en.
  5. News: Carpenter . Les . 27 September 2022 . Boxing's governing body nixes new election, jeopardizing Olympic future . https://archive.today/20221006152632/https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/olympics/2022/09/27/umar-kremlev-russia-olympic-boxing/ . 6 October 2022 . 6 October 2022 . . ...Though Kremlev has promised to reform the IBA, he has alarmed IOC officials by moving much of the organization’s operations from Lausanne, Switzerland to Russia..
  6. News: 26 June 2019 . IOC bans AIBA from boxing at 2020 Tokyo Olympics . 5 July 2019 . The Independent . en.
  7. Web site: 2024-08-05 . The Culture War Came to Olympic Boxing. It Started in Russia . 2024-09-01 . Wall Street Journal.
  8. News: Ingle . Sean . Ingle . Exclusive by Sean . 2022-05-11 . Olympic boxing at risk, IOC warns Iba chief amid fresh governance worries . 2024-08-12 . The Guardian . en-GB . 0261-3077.
  9. News: 13 May 2022 . Amateur boxing crisis grows as Russian Iba president’s rival loses election appeal . 25 December 2022 . The Guardian . en.
  10. News: Ingle . Sean . 2022-05-13 . Amateur boxing crisis grows as Russian Iba president’s rival loses election appeal . 2024-08-07 . The Guardian . en-GB . 0261-3077.
  11. Web site: 2022-03-21 . Under-fire IBA says it cannot "completely cancel" contract with Gazprom . 2024-08-07 . www.insidethegames.biz.
  12. Web site: 2022-05-14 . Van der Vorst to challenge IBA ineligibility ruling at CAS . 2024-08-12 . www.insidethegames.biz.
  13. Web site: 2022-05-12 . Van der Vorst ruled ineligible to stand against Kremlev for IBA President . 2024-08-02 . www.insidethegames.biz.
  14. News: Ochoa . Francis T. J. . Picson: Abap part of group looking to save boxing’s Olympic stint . 25 December 2022 . Philippine Daily Inquirer . 25 December 2022 . en.
  15. Web site: 2024-04-03 . IOC sets deadline of 'early 2025' to keep boxing in the Olympics for Los Angeles with a new partner . 2024-11-05 . AP News . en.
  16. Web site: McAtee . Mike . 23 April 2023 . Launch of a new International Federation for the Sport of Olympic-style boxing, Adaptive Boxing and Esport Boxing - World Boxing . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240911021310/https://www.usaboxing.org/news/features/2023/april/23/launch-of-a-new-international-federation-for-the-sport-of-olympic-style-boxing . 11 September 2024 . USA Boxing.
  17. News: IBA slams ‘black sheep’ breakaway body as schism roils boxing . 4 May 2023 . Al Jazeera . 2 May 2023 . en.
  18. News: 13 April 2023 . Breakaway group aims to save boxing's Olympic status . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20230413134147/https://abcnews.go.com/Sports/wireStory/breakaway-group-aims-save-boxings-olympic-status-98553133 . 13 April 2023 . 13 April 2023 . ABC News . en . Associated Press.
  19. News: 2 May 2023 . IBA slams 'black sheep' breakaway body as schism roils boxing . 4 May 2023 . Al Jazeera.
  20. Web site: 2023-04-14 . IBA slams World Boxing formation and threatens participants with expulsion . 2024-08-13 . www.insidethegames.biz.
  21. News: Ingle . Sean . 2023-06-21 . IOC set to strip IBA of its recognition as the official boxing body for Olympics . The Guardian . en-GB . 0261-3077.
  22. Web site: 8 May 2024 . World Boxing meets the International Olympic Committee to start Olympic journey . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240508124524/https://worldboxing.org/world-boxing-meets-the-international-olympic-committee-to-start-olympic-journey/ . 8 May 2024.
  23. News: 2024-09-26 . World Boxing name Gennady Golovkin as chair in bid to fill void left by IBA . 2024-11-05 . The Guardian . en-GB . 0261-3077.
  24. News: World Boxing entrusts the ITA to design and independently manage a comprehensive anti-doping program for its athletes. 2 October 2024. AP News. International Testing Agency. 2 October 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20241002130934/https://ita.sport/news/world-boxing-entrusts-the-ita-to-design-and-independently-manage-a-comprehensive-anti-doping-program-for-its-athletes/. 2 October 2024. en-us.
  25. News: World Boxing agrees to delegate adjudication on all anti-doping violations to the Anti-Doping Division of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS AAD). 10 October 2024. AP News. World Boxing. 10 October 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20241107185512/https://worldboxing.org/world-boxing-agrees-to-delegate-adjudication-on-all-anti-doping-violations-to-the-anti-doping-division-of-the-court-of-arbitration-for-sport-cas-aad/. 7 November 2024. en-us.
  26. Web site: World Boxing to host inaugural championships in Liverpool. Reuters. 17 September 2024.
  27. Web site: First World Boxing Championships heading to Liverpool in 2025. Boxing Scene. 17 September 2024.
  28. Web site: Liverpool wins bid to host inaugural World Boxing Championships 2025. England Boxing. 17 September 2024.
  29. Web site: City to host first World Boxing Championships. Birkenhead News. 17 September 2024.
  30. Web site: 2024 U19 World Boxing Championships to be held in Colorado. World Boxing. 19 June 2024.
  31. Web site: World Boxing - Membership. 16 August 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240816161941/http://web.archive.org/screenshot/https://worldboxing.org/membership/. 16 August 2024. en-gb. 16 August 2024.
  32. News: Beltran . Nelson . 10 August 2024 . Olympic boxing can be saved – Vargas . 10 August 2024 . The Philippine Star.
  33. Web site: 26 September 2024 . Kazakhstan officially bids to join World Boxing . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240926131141/https://en.inform.kz/news/kazakhstan-officially-bids-to-join-world-boxing-d016a8/ . 26 September 2024.
  34. News: 3 October 2024 . Gennadiy Golovkin Addresses PanAm Sports General Assembly on the Current Situation of World Boxing . https://web.archive.org/web/20241005093405/https://worldboxing.org/gennadiy-golovkin-addresses-panam-sports-general-assembly-on-the-current-situation-of-world-boxing/ . 5 October 2024 . 3 October 2024 . World Boxing . en-us.
  35. Web site: 2024-10-31 . World Boxing adds seven more national federations to its structure . 2024-11-04 . Inside the Games.
  36. Web site: 2024-11-04 . Four new countries join World Boxing pushing membership to 55 . 2024-11-04 . Inside the Games.
  37. News: Algerian boxing that’s home to Imane Khelif joins global body trying to save Olympic status. 12 September 2024. AP News. Associated Press. 10 September 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240912201843/https://apnews.com/article/olympics-boxing-khelif-algeria-japan-b67e824b71347d69ae20f9f3be865561. 12 September 2024. New York City. en-us.
  38. Web site: World Boxing approves more membership applications from National Federations including Italy and South Korea. World Boxing. 28 July 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240728142611/https://worldboxing.org/world-boxing-approves-more-membership-applications-from-national-federations-including-italy-and-south-korea/. 28 July 2024. en-gb. 26 July 2024.
  39. Web site: World Boxing announces six more members. World Boxing. 24 August 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20240728161957/https://worldboxing.org/world-boxing-announces-six-more-members/. 28 July 2024. en-gb. 24 August 2023.
  40. Web site: World Boxing receives post-Olympic boost with announcement of five new member National Federations. World Boxing. 16 August 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240816140059/https://worldboxing.org/world-boxing-receives-post-olympic-boost-with-announcement-of-five-new-member-national-federations/. 16 August 2024. en-gb. 16 August 2024.
  41. Web site: Boxing Federation of India agrees to join World Boxing. World Boxing. 28 June 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240628231423/https://worldboxing.org/boxing-federation-of-india-agrees-to-join-world-boxing. 28 June 2024. en-gb. 31 May 2024.
  42. Web site: Membership of World Boxing rises to 51 National Federations after it approves applications from seven more countries. World Boxing. 30 October 2024.
  43. Web site: World Boxing increases global footprint with addition of six new members including first National Federation from Africa. World Boxing. 20 October 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20240521001115/https://worldboxing.org/world-boxing-increases-global-footprint-with-addition-of-six-new-members-including-first-national-federation-from-africa/. 21 May 2024. en-gb. 20 October 2023.
  44. Web site: World Boxing announces four more members. World Boxing. 12 September 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20240521001018/https://worldboxing.org/world-boxing-announces-four-more-members/. 21 May 2024. en-gb. 12 September 2023.
  45. Web site: World Boxing approves applications from five more National Federations to increase membership to 27 countries. World Boxing. 25 October 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20240521004541/https://worldboxing.org/world-boxing-approves-applications-from-five-more-national-federations-to-increase-membership-to-27-countries/. 21 May 2024. en-gb. 25 October 2023.
  46. News: World Boxing names first 6 members as it seeks IOC recognition. 12 July 2024. ESPN. Reuters. 9 August 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230810154505/https://www.espn.co.uk/olympics/story/_/id/38160677/world-boxing-names-first-6-members-seeks-ioc-recognition. 10 August 2023. Bristol. en-gb.
  47. Web site: Thank you to all our member National Federations for your support in our first year. Instagram. 14 April 2024. en-gb. 14 April 2024.

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