- World Boxing approved six new members, putting pressure on the suspended and under-fire IBA.
- World Boxing to preserve boxing’s place at the center of the Olympic movement.
- At the first World Boxing Congress in November, full members will be able to vote.
The approval of six new members by World Boxing, a new organization seeking authorization from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to govern the sport, was announced on Thursday, adding pressure to the International Boxing Association (IBA), which is currently suspended and under fire.
The new independent sports organization gained the national federations of Canada, Brazil, Argentina, Germany, Honduras, and Sweden, increasing the total number of members to 12.
Preserving boxing
Due to the IBA’s failure to enact reforms, World Boxing was established in April to preserve boxing’s place at the center of the Olympic movement.
According to Simon Toulson, Secretary General of World Boxing, the organization draws elite national federations that embrace its tenets of putting boxers first and conducting business with strict governance procedures.
He reported receiving weekly queries and growing enthusiasm for joining World Boxing from national federations and boxing associations.
In addition to the United States, other members include New Zealand Boxing, Boxing Australia, England Boxing, GB Boxing, and the Dutch Boxing Federation.
The Russian-led IBA’s recognition has been revoked by the IOC for failing to implement several reforms related to governance, finances, and sports.
Due to problems with governance, finances, refereeing, and ethics, it had already suspended the IBA in 2019. At the first World Boxing Congress in November, full members will be able to vote.
