The International Boxing Association (IBA) has been stripped of its status as the governing body of the sport by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). This decision comes after the IBA failed to meet the required reforms following its suspension in 2019 due to governance issues and alleged corruption. The move made by the IOC’s executive board earlier this month received overwhelming support, with 69 out of 70 valid votes in favor.

In response to concerns over the IBA’s finance, governance, ethics, refereeing, and judging, the IOC took charge of organizing the boxing events at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. 

They will also oversee boxing at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Despite initially being excluded from the program for the Los Angeles 2028 Games, IOC director general Christophe de Kepper assured that boxing will indeed be part of the event.

IOC president Thomas Bach emphasized that the issue lies not with the sport or its athletes, stating, “We do not have a problem with boxing. We do not have a problem with boxers.” He emphasized the need for an international federation with integrity and transparency to govern the sport, ensuring that boxers receive the rightful oversight they deserve.

The IBA, led by Russia, strongly criticized the IOC’s decision, likening it to Germany’s actions during World War II. The IBA insisted that they had implemented all of the IOC’s recommended reforms and expressed their commitment to boxing’s development and the organization of official tournaments and world championships. They criticized the IOC for what they perceived as a catastrophic decision that contradicts the IOC’s supposed dedication to boxing and athletes’ best interests.

IBA’s appeal against the recommendation to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) was rejected,  lending credence to the IOC’s decision. The IBA had condemned the move as “abhorrent and purely political” when the executive board first made its recommendation.

Conversely, World Boxing, a breakaway international federation formed in April, welcomed the IOC’s decision to strip the IBA of its governing status. They viewed it as a significant moment for the sport and acknowledged that being part of the Olympic Games is a privilege, not a right. World Boxing expressed its commitment to working collaboratively with the IOC and other stakeholders to develop a pathway that secures boxing’s place in the Olympic program in the long term.

While their latest move has faced criticism from the IBA, the IOC remains steadfast in its commitment to the sport and its athletes. The future of boxing at the Olympics will be finalized by the IOC in October as preparations continue for the upcoming Games.

Leon Osamor