World Boxing
{{Short description|International boxing governing body}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2022}}
{{Infobox organization
| name = World Boxing
| logo = World Boxing logo 2023.svg
| abbreviation = WB
| formation = {{Start date and age|2023|04|13|df=y}}
| founding_location = Lausanne, Switzerland
| type = International sport federation
| status = Governing body of amateur boxing
| headquarters = Avenue de Rhodanie 2 – CP 975 1001, Lausanne, Switzerland
| membership = 106 national federations
| leader_title = President
| leader_name = Boris van der Vorst
| leader_title2 = Vice-President(s)
| leader_name2 = {{ubl
|Ryan O’Shea
|Matt Holt
|Dinah Glykidis
}}
| main_organ = Congress
| subsidiaries = {{Plainlist|
- Asian Boxing
- Pan American Boxing
- European Boxing
}}
| affiliations = International Olympic Committee
| website = {{Official URL}}
}}
World Boxing is an international sports organization regulating amateur (Olympic-style) boxing. Formed on 13 April 2023, it currently consists of 106 member federations. It is recognized by the International Olympic Committee as the international governing body for amateur boxing, and will sanction boxing at the Summer Olympics beginning in 2028.
The organisation was formed in response to ongoing governance and integrity issues facing the International Boxing Association which had resulted in its suspension—and later, expulsion—from the IOC. Its charter members were drawn from the "Common Cause Alliance"—a group of IBA members that had demanded transparency over the organisation's governance and finances amid the presidency of Umar Kremlev and the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and campaigned for maintaining boxing as an Olympic sport. In February 2025, the IOC granted provisional recognition to World Boxing after meeting benchmarks for reach and integrity; the following month, the IOC approved the reinstatement of boxing on the Olympic programme.
History
=Common Cause Alliance=
The International Boxing Association 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 continued concerns over governance, finances, and the integrity of officiating.{{Cite news |date=2022-12-11 |title=Putin's ally running world amateur boxing looks to uphold Russian soft power |url=https://www.lemonde.fr/en/sports/article/2022/12/11/putin-s-ally-running-world-amateur-boxing-looks-to-uphold-russian-soft-power_6007349_9.html |access-date=2024-08-07 |work=Le Monde |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221211231605/https://www.lemonde.fr/en/sports/article/2022/12/11/putin-s-ally-running-world-amateur-boxing-looks-to-uphold-russian-soft-power_6007349_9.html |archive-date=11 December 2022 |url-status=live}}{{Cite news |last=Carpenter |first=Les |date=27 September 2022 |title=Boxing's governing body nixes new election, jeopardizing Olympic future |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/olympics/2022/09/27/umar-kremlev-russia-olympic-boxing/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220927203547/https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/olympics/2022/09/27/umar-kremlev-russia-olympic-boxing/ |archive-date=27 September 2022 |access-date=6 October 2022 |newspaper=The Washington Post |quote=...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.}}{{cite news |date=26 June 2019 |title=IOC bans AIBA from boxing at 2020 Tokyo Olympics |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/olympics/tokyo-2020-olympics-games-boxing-aiba-banned-latest-news-a8975326.html |access-date=5 July 2019 |work=The Independent |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190627043441/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/olympics/tokyo-2020-olympics-games-boxing-aiba-banned-latest-news-a8975326.html |archive-date=27 June 2019 |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |date=2024-08-05 |title=The Culture War Came to Olympic Boxing. It Started in Russia |url=https://www.wsj.com/sports/olympics/olympic-boxing-gender-controversy-russia-1e5bacf8 |access-date=2024-09-01 |website=Wall Street Journal |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240805165026/https://www.wsj.com/sports/olympics/olympic-boxing-gender-controversy-russia-1e5bacf8 |archive-date=5 August 2024 |url-status=live}}{{Cite news |last1=Ingle |first1=Sean |last2=Ingle |first2=Exclusive by Sean |date=2022-05-11 |title=Olympic boxing at risk, IOC warns Iba chief amid fresh governance worries |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2022/may/11/olympic-boxing-at-risk-ioc-warns-iba-chief-amid-fresh-governance-worries |access-date=2024-08-12 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220511130706/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2022/may/11/olympic-boxing-at-risk-ioc-warns-iba-chief-amid-fresh-governance-worries |archive-date=11 May 2022 |url-status=live}}
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.{{cite news |date=13 May 2022 |title=Amateur boxing crisis grows as Russian Iba president's rival loses election appeal |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2022/may/12/amateur-boxing-crisis-boris-van-der-vorst-election-rival-to-russian-iba-president-umar-kremlev-barred |access-date=25 December 2022 |work=The Guardian |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220512171627/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2022/may/12/amateur-boxing-crisis-boris-van-der-vorst-election-rival-to-russian-iba-president-umar-kremlev-barred |archive-date=12 May 2022 |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |date=2022-03-21 |title=Under-fire IBA says it cannot "completely cancel" contract with Gazprom |url=https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1120831/iba-not-cancelling-contract-with-gazprom |access-date=2024-08-07 |website=www.insidethegames.biz|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220322005855/https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1120831/iba-not-cancelling-contract-with-gazprom |archive-date=22 March 2022 |url-status=live}}
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.{{Cite web |date=2022-05-14 |title=Van der Vorst to challenge IBA ineligibility ruling at CAS |url=https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1123129/van-der-vorst-cas-biiu-iba |access-date=2024-08-12 |website=www.insidethegames.biz|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220514064611/https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1123129/van-der-vorst-cas-biiu-iba |archive-date=14 May 2022 |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |date=2022-05-12 |title=Van der Vorst ruled ineligible to stand against Kremlev for IBA President |url=https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1123055/endorsements-iba-presidential-election |access-date=2024-08-02 |website=www.insidethegames.biz|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220512131152/https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1123055/endorsements-iba-presidential-election |archive-date=12 May 2022 |url-status=live}} The CAS overruled the IBA decision, resulting in an Extraordinary IBA Congress in September; however, the IBA's members voted against van der Vorst's proposal to challenge Kremlev's re-election. By December 2022, the membership of the Common Cause Alliance had grown to 25 federations.{{cite news |last1=Ochoa |first1=Francis T. J. |title=Picson: Abap part of group looking to save boxing's Olympic stint |url=https://sports.inquirer.net/491177/picson-abap-part-of-group-looking-to-save-boxings-olympic-stint |access-date=25 December 2022 |newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer |date=25 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221224212418/https://sports.inquirer.net/491177/picson-abap-part-of-group-looking-to-save-boxings-olympic-stint |archive-date=24 December 2022 |url-status=live}}
=World Boxing=
In April 2023, the IOC stated that it needed 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.{{Cite web |date=2024-04-03 |title=IOC sets deadline of 'early 2025' to keep boxing in the Olympics for Los Angeles with a new partner |url=https://apnews.com/article/olympics-boxing-los-angeles-2028-iba-dbd2a1d19715881d0718353092d03a9d |access-date=2024-11-05 |website=AP News |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240403115513/https://apnews.com/article/olympics-boxing-los-angeles-2028-iba-dbd2a1d19715881d0718353092d03a9d |archive-date=3 April 2024 |url-status=live}} 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.{{Cite web |last=McAtee |first=Mike |date=23 April 2023 |title=Launch of a new International Federation for the Sport of Olympic-style boxing, Adaptive Boxing and Esport Boxing - World Boxing |url=https://www.usaboxing.org/news/features/2023/april/23/launch-of-a-new-international-federation-for-the-sport-of-olympic-style-boxing |url-status=live |archive-url=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 |archive-date=11 September 2024 |website=USA Boxing}}{{cite news |title=IBA slams 'black sheep' breakaway body as schism roils boxing |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/sports/2023/5/2/iba-slams-black-sheep-breakaway-body-as-schism-roils-boxing |access-date=4 May 2023 |work=Al Jazeera |date=2 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230502103925/https://www.aljazeera.com/sports/2023/5/2/iba-slams-black-sheep-breakaway-body-as-schism-roils-boxing |archive-date=2 May 2023|url-status=live}}{{cite news |date=13 April 2023 |title=Breakaway group aims to save boxing's Olympic status |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Sports/wireStory/breakaway-group-aims-save-boxings-olympic-status-98553133 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230413134147/https://abcnews.go.com/Sports/wireStory/breakaway-group-aims-save-boxings-olympic-status-98553133 |archive-date=13 April 2023 |access-date=13 April 2023 |work=ABC News |language=en |agency=Associated Press}} 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.{{Cite web |date=2023-04-14 |title=IBA slams World Boxing formation and threatens participants with expulsion |url=https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1135907/iba-slams-world-boxing-formation |access-date=2024-08-13 |website=www.insidethegames.biz|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20230415010135/https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1135907/iba-slams-world-boxing-formation |archive-date=15 April 2023 |url-status=live}}
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.{{Cite news |last=Ingle |first=Sean |date=2023-06-21 |title=IOC set to strip IBA of its recognition as the official boxing body for Olympics |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2023/jun/21/ioc-set-to-withdraw-recognition-of-international-boxing-association |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230621183406/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2023/jun/21/ioc-set-to-withdraw-recognition-of-international-boxing-association |archive-date=21 June 2023 |url-status=live}} 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 consider a proposal to recognize World Boxing as the governing body for boxing.{{Cite web |date=8 May 2024 |title=World Boxing meets the International Olympic Committee to start Olympic journey |url=https://worldboxing.org/world-boxing-meets-the-international-olympic-committee-to-start-olympic-journey/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240508124524/https://worldboxing.org/world-boxing-meets-the-international-olympic-committee-to-start-olympic-journey/ |archive-date=8 May 2024}}
On 15 May 2024, an exclusive deal was made for US company Nike Boxing to supply sporting apparel and footwear to World Boxing.{{Cite web |date=15 May 2024 |title=World Boxing and Nike Boxing agree to exclusive deal for the sportswear giant to supply sporting apparel and footwear the new International Federation |url=https://worldboxing.org/world-boxing-and-nike-boxing-agree-to-exclusive-deal-for-the-sportswear-giant-to-supply-sporting-apparel-and-footwear-to-the-new-international-federation/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240521014922/https://worldboxing.org/world-boxing-and-nike-boxing-agree-to-exclusive-deal-for-the-sportswear-giant-to-supply-sporting-apparel-and-footwear-to-the-new-international-federation/ |archive-date=21 May 2024 |access-date=15 May 2024 |website=World Boxing}}
On 26 September 2024, it was announced that Kazakhstani Olympic medallist Gennady Golovkin would lead World Boxing's Olympic Commission, serving as a liaison between World Boxing and the IOC on matters relating to Olympic boxing.{{Cite news|date=2024-09-26 |title=World Boxing name Gennady Golovkin as chair in bid to fill void left by IBA |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2024/sep/26/la-2028-olympics-target-gennady-golovkin-named-chair-of-world-boxing-commission#:~:text=World%20Boxing%20has%20appointed%20Gennady,the%20sport's%20recognised%20international%20federation. |access-date=2024-11-05 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240926141756/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2024/sep/26/la-2028-olympics-target-gennady-golovkin-named-chair-of-world-boxing-commission |archive-date=26 September 2024 |url-status=live}}
On 2 October 2024, World Boxing announced a four-year agreement to delegate drug testing activities to the International Testing Agency (ITA).{{cite news|title=World Boxing entrusts the ITA to design and independently manage a comprehensive anti-doping program for its athletes|url=https://ita.sport/news/world-boxing-entrusts-the-ita-to-design-and-independently-manage-a-comprehensive-anti-doping-program-for-its-athletes/|access-date=2 October 2024|work=AP News|publisher= International Testing Agency|date=2 October 2024|archive-url=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/|archive-date=2 October 2024|language=en-us}} 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).{{cite news|title=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)|url=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/|access-date=10 October 2024|work=AP News|publisher= World Boxing|date=10 October 2024|archive-url=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/|archive-date=7 November 2024|language=en-us}}
In November 2024, the majority of the Asian Boxing Confederation (ASBC) voted to remain part of the IBA. ASBC President Pichai Chunhavajira resigned after the meeting.{{cite news |last1=Carro |first1=Javier |title=ASBC to continue with the IBA following an extraordinary congress |url=https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1150221/after-extraordinary-congress-asbc-re |access-date=31 December 2024 |work=InsideTheGames.com |date=23 November 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241123140733/https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1150221/after-extraordinary-congress-asbc-re |archive-date=23 November 2024 |url-status=live}} In December 2024, Asian Boxing was formed with Chunhavajira elected to head the organization.{{cite news |last1=Henson |first1=Joaquin |title=Vargas named to Asian body |url=https://www.philstar.com/sports/2024/12/30/2410581/vargas-named-asian-body |access-date=31 December 2024 |work=The Philippine Star |date=30 December 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241230071834/https://www.philstar.com/sports/2024/12/30/2410581/vargas-named-asian-body |archive-date=30 December 2024 |url-status=live}}{{cite news |last1=Menocal Pareja |first1=Marcos |title=On the brink: The birth of Asian Boxing |url=https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1150769/oca-asian-boxing-born-iba-chunhavajira |access-date=16 December 2024|work=InsideTheGames.com |date=16 December 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241216124527/https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1150769/oca-asian-boxing-born-iba-chunhavajira |archive-date=16 December 2024 |url-status=live}} In January 2025, a Pan American Boxing Confederation was established by the 17 national federations from the Americas that were members of World Boxing at that time.{{cite news |last1=Pareja|first1=Marcos Menocal|title=World Boxing Form Pan Am Confederation|url=https://cubasi.cu/en/news/world-boxing-form-pan-am-confederation|access-date=28 January 2025 |work=cubasi.cu |date=28 January 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250128151532/https://cubasi.cu/en/news/world-boxing-form-pan-am-confederation |archive-date=28 January 2025 |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |date=28 January 2025 |title=World Boxing to form Pan Am Confederation |url=https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1151563/continental-americas-world-boxing-ceate |access-date=2025-03-05 |website=Inside the Games|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250128151024/https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1151563/continental-americas-world-boxing-ceate |archive-date=28 January 2025 |url-status=live}}
On 24 February 2025, World Boxing announced an agreement with Exceed Boxing to manage its events and the organisation's commercial rights (such as sponsorships and broadcast rights).{{Cite web |date=2025-02-25 |title=WB and Exceed Boxing join forces |url=https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1152020/world-boxing-exceed-join-forces-years |access-date=2025-03-05 |website=Inside the Games|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250226005940/https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1152020/world-boxing-exceed-join-forces-years |archive-date=26 February 2025 |url-status=live}}
On February 25, 2025, World Boxing was admitted as a member of the Alliance of Independent Recognized Members of Sport (AIMS), after an Extraordinary Assembly to discuss several key developments.{{Cite web |title=AIMS extraordinary meeting welcomes World Boxing into the alliance |url=https://aims.sport/aims-extraordinary-meeting-welcomes-world-boxing-into-the-alliance/2025/ |website=AIMS News |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250301094905/https://aims.sport/aims-extraordinary-meeting-welcomes-world-boxing-into-the-alliance/2025/ |archive-date=1 March 2025 |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |title=SportAccord Executive Committee grants AIMS Membership to World Boxing |url=https://www.sportaccord.sport/sportaccord-executive-committee-grants-aims-membership-to-world-boxing/ |website=Sport Accord |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250320061149/https://www.sportaccord.sport/sportaccord-executive-committee-grants-aims-membership-to-world-boxing/ |archive-date=20 March 2025 |url-status=live}}
On 26 February 2025, the IOC announced that it had granted provisional recognition to World Boxing as an international federation for boxing, citing its ongoing progress on membership reach and commitments to competitive integrity; van der Vorst stated that "there is still a lot of work to do, and everyone is as committed as ever to continuing to work together and doing everything within our power to deliver a better future for our sport and ensuring that boxing remains at heart of the Olympic movement."{{Cite web |date=2025-02-26 |title=World Boxing: International Olympic Committee grants provisional recognition as international federation |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/olympics/articles/c9vym9l7w0ro |access-date=2025-02-26 |website=BBC Sport |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250226164556/https://www.bbc.com/sport/olympics/articles/c9vym9l7w0ro |archive-date=26 February 2025 |url-status=live}}
On 10 March 2025, World Boxing was granted provisional membership of the Association of IOC Recognised International Sports Federations (ARISF), pending ratification by the ARISF general assembly.{{Cite web |date=2025-03-13 |title=World Boxing Gains Provisional Membership in ARISF |url=https://arisf.sport/world-boxing-gains-provisional-membership-in-arisf/ |access-date=2025-03-14 |website=ARISF |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250320061327/https://arisf.sport/world-boxing-gains-provisional-membership-in-arisf/ |archive-date=20 March 2025 |url-status=live}} On 17 March 2025, the IOC Executive Board recommended the reinstatement of boxing on the 2028 Summer Olympic programme, pending IOC approval.{{Cite web |date=17 March 2025 |title=IOC: Boxing back on the cards for LA28 |url=https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1152372/world-boxing-welcomes-ioc-la28-decision |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250317163334/https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1152372/world-boxing-welcomes-ioc-la28-decision |archive-date=17 March 2025 |access-date=18 March 2025 |website=Inside the Games}}{{Cite web |date=17 March 2025 |title=Boxing set for Olympic inclusion in 2028 |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/olympics/articles/ce8yjx61wd6o |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250317122910/https://www.bbc.com/sport/olympics/articles/ce8yjx61wd6o |archive-date=17 March 2025 |access-date=19 March 2025 |website=BBC Sport}} On 20 March 2025, during the 144th IOC Session in Greece, the IOC's members unanimously voted to reinstate boxing as a Summer Olympic event.{{Cite web |date=20 March 2025 |title=Boxing to be part of LA2028 sports programme. |url=https://www.olympics.com/ioc/news/boxing-to-be-part-of-la28-sports-programme |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250320105518/https://www.olympics.com/ioc/news/boxing-to-be-part-of-la28-sports-programme |archive-date=20 March 2025 |access-date=20 March 2025 |website=Olympics}}
On 24 March 2025, European Boxing held its inaugural Congress in Prague, where Lars Brovil from the Danish Boxing Association was elected President.{{Cite web |last=Rewcastle |first=Nick |date=2025-03-24 |title=Lars Brovil from the Danish Boxing Association elected President of European Boxing at its inaugural Congress in Prague |url=https://worldboxing.org/lars-brovil-from-the-danish-boxing-association-elected-president-of-european-boxing-at-its-inaugural-congress-in-prague/ |access-date=2025-04-14 |website=World Boxing |language=en-GB}}
In April 2025, the IOC announced that one additional women's weight class would be added to boxing for parity with the men's events, bringing the total to 14 medal events at the 2028 Olympics.{{Cite web |last=Schad |first=Tom |title=LA Olympics to include new mixed-gender team events in golf and gymnastics |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/olympics/2025/04/09/olympics-2028-mixed-gender-events-golf-gymnastics/83010555007/ |access-date=2025-04-09 |website=USA Today |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=2025-04-09 |title=LA28 to have more women athletes than men |url=https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1152768/la28-ioc-board-french-alps-2030 |access-date=2025-04-09 |website=Inside the Games}}
In May 2025, the organisation announced that it would require sex verification testing via PCR test for all boxers 18 and older in World Boxing-sanctioned events. The organisation faced criticism for specifically naming Imane Khelif in the announcement as an example of a boxer who would need to undergo testing under the rule; she had faced controversy during the 2024 Summer Olympics over allegations— themselves based on disputed testing by the IBA—that she had XY chromosomes.{{Cite web |date=2 August 2024 |title=Joint Paris 2024 Boxing Unit/IOC Statement |url=https://www.olympics.com/ioc/news/joint-paris-2024-boxing-unit-ioc-statement |access-date=30 April 2025 |website=International Olympic Committee}}{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=3 August 2024 |title=Olympic boxer Imane Khelif's gender at center of IOC, IBA controversy |url=https://abcnews.go.com/International/olympic-boxer-imane-khelifs-gender-center-ioc-iba/story?id=112509303 |access-date=2025-05-01 |website=ABC News |language=en}}{{cite news |last1=Ingle |first1=Sean |date=30 July 2024 |title=Boxers who failed gender tests at world championships cleared to compete at Olympics |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/article/2024/jul/29/boxers-who-failed-gender-tests-at-world-championships-cleared-to-compete-at-olympics |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240807112112/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/article/2024/jul/29/boxers-who-failed-gender-tests-at-world-championships-cleared-to-compete-at-olympics |archive-date=7 August 2024 |access-date=30 July 2024 |work=The Guardian}}{{cite news |last1=Carpenter |first1=Les |date=1 August 2024 |title=Olympic boxer who faced gender-eligibility claim wins, igniting outcry |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/olympics/2024/08/01/imane-khelif-algerian-boxer-gender-paris-olympics/ |url-access=limited |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240801201901/https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/olympics/2024/08/01/imane-khelif-algerian-boxer-gender-paris-olympics/ |archive-date=1 August 2024 |access-date=2 August 2024 |newspaper=The Washington Post}} Reuters reported that van der Vorst had personally apologised to the Algeria Boxing Federation for the specific reference to Khelif, arguing that it violated her privacy.{{Cite news |last=Nair |first=Rohith |last2=Nair |first2=Rohith |date=2025-06-03 |title=World Boxing apologises after naming Khelif in mandatory sex testing announcement |url=https://www.reuters.com/sports/world-boxing-apologises-after-naming-khelif-mandatory-sex-testing-announcement-2025-06-03/ |access-date=2025-06-05 |work=Reuters |language=en}}{{Cite news |date=2025-05-30 |title=World Boxing to introduce mandatory sex testing for all boxers |url=https://www.reuters.com/sports/world-boxing-introduce-mandatory-sex-testing-all-boxers-2025-05-30/ |access-date=2025-06-05 |work=Reuters |language=en}}
Tournaments
=World Boxing Championships=
On 17 September 2024, World Boxing announced the M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool, England, would host the organisation's inaugural 2025 World Boxing Championships from 4 to 14 September 2025.{{cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/sports/athletics/world-boxing-host-inaugural-championships-liverpool-2024-09-17/|title=World Boxing to host inaugural championships in Liverpool|publisher=Reuters|access-date=17 September 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240917202524/https://www.reuters.com/sports/athletics/world-boxing-host-inaugural-championships-liverpool-2024-09-17/ |archive-date=17 September 2024 |url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.englandboxing.org/news_articles/liverpool-wins-bid-to-host-inaugural-world-boxing-championships-2025/|title=Liverpool wins bid to host inaugural World Boxing Championships 2025|publisher=England Boxing|access-date=17 September 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240917202525/https://www.englandboxing.org/news_articles/liverpool-wins-bid-to-host-inaugural-world-boxing-championships-2025/ |archive-date=17 September 2024 |url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.birkenhead.news/city-to-host-first-world-boxing-championships/|title=City to host first World Boxing Championships|publisher=Birkenhead News|access-date=17 September 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240917134108/https://www.birkenhead.news/city-to-host-first-world-boxing-championships/ |archive-date=17 September 2024 |url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cy0glp2pykpo|title=Liverpool to host first World Boxing Championships|publisher=BBC News|access-date=17 September 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240917163147/https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cy0glp2pykpo |archive-date=17 September 2024 |url-status=live}}
=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.{{cite web|url=https://worldboxing.org/2024-u19-world-boxing-championships-to-be-held-in-colorado/|title=2024 U19 World Boxing Championships to be held in Colorado|publisher=World Boxing|access-date=19 June 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241210123744/https://worldboxing.org/2024-u19-world-boxing-championships-to-be-held-in-colorado/ |archive-date=10 December 2024 |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |date=20 June 2024 |title=Colorado to host 2024 U19 World Boxing Championships |url=https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1146138/world-boxing-host-championship-u19 |access-date=20 June 2024 |website=Inside the Games |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240620091220/https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1146138/world-boxing-host-championship-u19 |archive-date=20 June 2024 |url-status=live}}
Continental federations
- Asian Boxing
- Pan American Boxing Confederation
- European Boxing
National federations
File:World Boxing members map.svg, whose catchment area overlaps the Home Nations members.}}]]
=Current=
World Boxing currently has 106 national member federations - 11 from Africa, 24 from the Americas, 31 from Asia, 33 from Europe, and 7 from Oceania.{{cite web|title=World Boxing - Membership|url=https://worldboxing.org/membership/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250306100308/https://worldboxing.org/membership |archive-date=6 March 2025 |url-status=live}}
Presidents
- Boris van der Vorst {{flagicon|NED}} (2023–present)
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{Official website}}
{{International Sports Federations}}
{{National Members of World Boxing}}
{{Authority control}}
{{Portal bar|Olympics|Sports|Switzerland}}
Category:Sports organizations established in 2023
Category:Amateur boxing governing bodies
Category:2023 establishments in Switzerland