More countries have thrown their support behind the World Boxing movement, with China, Turkey, Sudan, Greece, and Montenegro all being approved by the World Boxing executive board, increasing the number of memberships to 84 countries.
Each of the new countries has, according to World Boxing, gone through “a rigorous application process” to sign up.
China joining is particularly significant because they finished second on the boxing medal table in 2024, with three golds and two silvers. Turkey were joint eighth in the table, having won three.
Boxing is on course to lose its Olympic status at the 2028 Games, but World Boxing is campaigning hard to make sure that it remains part of the Olympic movement.
The World Boxing president Boris van der Vorst said: “It is my pleasure to welcome our latest members which further increases the global reach of World Boxing across all five continents as we continue to grow and go from strength to strength.
“The addition of six more members to our ever-increasing membership is further evidence of the widespread support that exists across our sport for the work that World Boxing is doing to deliver a better future for boxers and ensure that boxing remains at the heart of the Olympic movement.”
The new countries had to demonstrate that they were in good standing, that they had transparent and open election processes, to show that they used WADA-recognized anti-doping policies and processes, and that they had structured and independent resolution and appeals processes – as well as formal recognition by either their National Olympic Committee or Ministry for Sport and a solid national and international boxing program.
A full list of the 84 National Federations that are members of World Boxing, which launched in April 2023, can be viewed at https://worldboxing.org/membership/.