New organisation World Boxing hopes to save sport’s Olympic status

Founding members of new organisation World Boxing have insisted it is time for change and pledged to do everything they can to keep the sport part of the Olympic Games.

Boxing faces an uncertain future after Paris 2024 with the the sport left off the initial programme for Los Angeles 2028 after the International Boxing Association, the world governing body for Olympic boxing, failed to implement changes requested by the International Olympic Committee.

IBA has been suspended by the IOC since 2019 and boxing in Paris next year will not run under its authority due to long-standing issues over IBA’s governance, financial stability, sustainability, refereeing and judging system.

GB Boxing is pleased to support the creation of World Boxing - a new international federation which aims to ensure boxing remains at heart of Olympic movement.To find out more about World Boxing, visit their website below. ⬇️https://t.co/OYbJySrCgl | #TimeForWorldBoxing pic.twitter.com/uHeVn4ySEo

— GB Boxing (@gbboxing) April 13, 2023

It has resulted in World Boxing being formed, with GB Boxing chief executive Matthew Holt behind the organisation alongside Olympic champion Lauren Price.

Key figures from USA Boxing, the German Boxing Association, Dutch Boxing Federation, Boxing New Zealand, Swedish Boxing Federation and Philippines Boxing are also part of the organisation, who will aim to earn recognition from the IOC to keep boxing part of the Olympic Movement.

“Our status on the Olympic Programme is on life support and as an organisation we need to breathe new life into it,” Holt said.

“We believe it is time for a change. The sport is at a crossroads.

“This is a bold move that has good support among the groundswell of like-minded national