The United States, United Kingdom, and other nations have launched a new international boxing federation, World Boxing, in a bid to preserve the sport’s place in the Olympic Games. Announced at a press conference, World Boxing leaders expressed their goal of gaining recognition from the International Olympic Committee (IOC), which has suspended the Russian-led International Boxing Association (IBA) over governance and ethical concerns.
World Boxing: A New Path for Olympic Boxing
Registered in Switzerland, World Boxing includes federations from the U.S., Britain, and several other countries that have already boycotted IBA’s men’s and women’s world championships this year. Tyson Lee, president of USA Boxing, noted, “It’s time for an alternative that truly prioritizes the Olympic movement.” This breakaway move follows years of strained relations between the IOC and IBA, which was suspended in 2019 and barred from the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and Paris 2024 qualifiers.
IBA Criticizes New Federation as “Orchestrated Coup”
IBA quickly condemned the formation of World Boxing, calling it an “orchestrated coup.” Secretary General George Yerolimpos asserted that IBA may seek damages, describing the new federation as a challenge to IBA’s autonomy. Nevertheless, World Boxing’s interim leader, Simon Toulson, insisted the federation is not in a direct battle with IBA, emphasizing that their goal is to support boxing’s Olympic future rather than escalate tensions.
World Boxing Leadership and Olympic Concerns
World Boxing’s interim executive board is chaired by Simon Toulson, who has prior experience with the International Canoe Federation and the IOC. Key figures on the board include Boris van der Vorst, president of the Dutch Boxing Federation, and representatives from countries including Germany, New Zealand, and the U.S. Athlete representatives include Tokyo 2020 gold medalist Lauren Price from Wales and U.S. silver medalist Richard Torrez Jr., who will be joined by an athletes’ committee.
While the IOC has yet to be formally approached for recognition, Toulson indicated the process could take up to two years, possibly extending beyond the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Funding and Future Plans
With a €900,000 budget for the current year, World Boxing is funded by donations, memberships, and early sponsorships. The new federation will open to memberships in May, and a full executive board will be elected at the inaugural congress in November.
A Growing Rift Over Russian Influence
The IOC-IBA relationship has further deteriorated since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, with IBA’s decision to allow Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete under their flags defying IOC recommendations. Led by Russian Umar Kremlev and sponsored by Gazprom, IBA has faced international scrutiny over its governance.
Boxing’s Longstanding Olympic Legacy at Risk
Boxing has featured in the Olympics since 1904, except for Stockholm 1912, and women’s boxing was introduced in 2012. With the sport’s future uncertain beyond the Paris Games, World Boxing’s establishment reflects a concerted effort to maintain boxing’s Olympic presence, which remains a goal for major boxing nations like the U.S., Britain, and Cuba.
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