It was today confirmed that boxing will retain its status as an Olympic sport, at least for the 2028 Games in Los Angeles, after the International Olympic Committee (IOC) voted unanimously for its inclusion.

The sport’s future in the Olympics had long been uncertain after amateur boxing’s governing body, the International Boxing Association (IBA), was suspended in 2019 due to concerns over their ability to manage the sport in a fair manner. Those issues of poor governance, financial mismanagement, and improper officiating were again highlighted in June 2023 when the IBA was permanently stripped of its status after failing to convince the IOC that sufficient change had been implemented.

Boxing, present at the Games since 1904, was not part of the program for the 2028 Olympics when it was first announced in 2022. For the 2020 and 2024 Games, the IOC implemented their own taskforce to manage the boxing tournaments.

Hope came in the form of World Boxing, a governing body created to rival the IBA with the primary aim of ensuring boxing’s status as an Olympic sport. Last month, the IOC granted provisional recognition to World Boxing before voting for its inclusion this week. "This is a great day for boxers, boxing and everyone connected with our sport at every level across the world," said World Boxing president Boris van der Vorst.

"World Boxing understands that being part of the Olympic Games is a privilege and not a right and we are determined to be a trustworthy and reliable partner that will adhere to and uphold the values of the Olympic Movement."
"I thank you for the approval of having boxing back. We can look forward to a great boxing tournament," outgoing IOC president Thomas Bach said.

The IOC has said only athletes whose national federations are members of World Boxing by the time of the start of the qualification events for the 2028 Olympics can take part in Los Angeles

The dates for the qualifying period are yet to be confirmed.