World Boxing, the nascent global governing body for the sport that was established in mid-April, has unveiled five new national federations as members.
The governing bodies for boxing in the Philippines, Scotland, Wales, Suriname, and the US Virgin Islands, have all had their applications to join World Boxing approved. That body now contains 27 members in total, spread across five continents.
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World Boxing has said all members have “completed a rigorous application process … and are deemed to be in good standing.”
They have also been able to demonstrate, World Boxing has said, elements including “a transparent and open election process,” the “existence and operation of … anti-doping policies and processes,” and a solid national and international boxing program.
The applications have been approved by the body’s executive board and will be ratified at the inaugural World Boxing Congress in November, in Frankfurt.
World Boxing plans to begin the process of seeking formal recognition from the International Olympic Committee (IOC), and then to work with the IOC to ensure boxing’s place on the sports program for future Olympic games – this is currently in serious doubt.
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By GlobalDataThe IOC formally removed the embattled International Boxing Association (IBA) as an Olympic federation in late June, after years of dispute between the two parties.
As a consequence, the IBA will not organize any boxing events at the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028, with World Boxing attempting to position itself as an alternative.
The last cohort of national federations to join World Boxing included those from Finland, Iceland, Jamaica, Nigeria, Norway, and the Czech Republic. The first federations to join did so in early August.
Simon Toulson, World Boxing’s secretary general, has said: “To be heading into our inaugural congress with a minimum of 27 members of such high caliber is a major achievement for World Boxing and a sign of the desire for change that exists across the sport.
“Our members represent every continent where Olympic-style boxing takes place and include many nations with a proud and distinguished history in the sport. Most importantly, they are committed to creating a better future for boxing, based on the principles of integrity, honesty, and excellence, and ensuring the sport remains at the heart of the Olympic movement.
“The consistent growth in our membership and continued interest we are receiving from national federations is an indication of the growing support for our work and the widespread recognition that World Boxing is the only international federation that can enable boxing to keep its place on the Olympic program at Los Angeles [in 2028] and beyond.”
The Philippines body has become the second national federation from Asia to join World Boxing.
Following this acceptance of five new members by World Boxing, the IBA has attempted to respond in kind, by granting provisional membership to two bodies, Swiss Boxing and Norfolk Island Boxing Association.
The Swiss body had originally resigned from the IBA in early June, as an attempted prelude to joining World Boxing, before its own general assembly reversed that decision and voted to apply to rejoin the IBA.
The Norfolk Island body, meanwhile, has never previously been an IBA member.
Both bodies will be formally accepted as full IBA members at that body’s next congress, in Dubai in December.
Umar Kremlev, the IBA’s combative president, has now said: “We warmly welcome new a member in Norfolk Island, as well as SwissBoxing, which returns to IBA following the wise decision of its general assembly. For us, it is a sign of trust and the right direction we chose as an organization. With a strong, independent, and stable IBA, together we can achieve more.”
Earlier this week, the IBA issued a complaint to World Boxing over the latter’s use of alleged IBA trademarks.
The IBA stated that the phrase “World Boxing” itself, which is also present in its rival's logo, is a registered property of the IBA, as is the “World Boxing Tour."
As a result, the IBA gave World Boxing a deadline of October 26 (today), only three days after the release of the complaint, to remove the name “World Boxing” from the entirety of its operations, including documents, websites, social media accounts, and any public-facing communications.
The IBA also requested a public apology from World Boxing to be issued by that deadline.
The governing body concluded its letter by saying that it retains the right to pursue legal action "seeking remedies for unauthorized use of our trademarks and associated damages."
These latest developments are another sign that the feud between the two bodies is not abating.
