Last year, as the Paris Olympics concluded, a sense of uncertainty loomed over the boxing community. Concerns grew when reports suggested that boxing might be excluded from the 34th edition of the Summer Games in Los Angeles. Since its introduction to the global sporting event in 1904, boxing has served as a vital stepping stone for amateur boxers before transitioning to the professional arena. Legendary figures like Muhammad Ali, ‘Sugar’ Ray Leonard, Roy Jones Jr., and Floyd Mayweather Jr. followed this path.
Even in the modern era, many reigning champions first made their mark at the Olympics. However, the sport now faces uncertainty due to governance issues that led the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to sever ties with the International Boxing Association (IBA).
The IOC oversaw boxing events at the 2020 Tokyo (held in 2021) and 2024 Paris Olympics, but for future editions, national federations were urged to find a sustainable solution. Recent reports suggest that boxing could secure its place in the Olympic program. But wouldn’t it be better if the sport first addressed its internal challenges to ensure a fresh, untainted future? Let’s examine the key issues that need immediate reform.
Independent Governance
Allegations of corruption, biased decision-making, and a lack of transparency plagued the IBA. Thus questioning the sport’s credibility. A compromised governing body leads to unfair decisions. More significantly, it erodes trust among athletes and fans. Hence, to prevent boxing from reaching a point of exclusion, an independent, politically neutral organization must oversee the sport.
BREAKING: Boxing is anticipated to be included back into the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, IOC President Thomas Bach announced Monday. The tournaments will be organized by World Boxing, the newly recognized governing body working to secure the sport’s place in the Games.
This is… pic.twitter.com/fskpYtkrPs
— Source of Boxing (@Sourceofboxing) March 17, 2025
A beacon of hope emerged on April 13, 2023, when World Boxing (WB) was formed. It’s a new governing body dedicated to Olympic-style boxing. Reportedly it wants to prioritize boxers’ interests and upholding integrity. Currently, it has 84 member countries. With voting power based on contributions to the sport, the WB operates as a membership-governed organization.
WB’s primary goals include maintaining boxing’s place in the Olympic movement. It wants to ensure fair competition and establish strong governance. A significant milestone was achieved on February 26, 2025, when the IOC granted World Boxing provisional recognition.
The organization plans to host elite-level global championships featuring 10 weight classes for both men and women. Additionally, it aims to establish a Pan American Boxing Confederation to expand the sport’s reach in the Americas.
Other major sports, such as soccer, weightlifting, and track and field, restructured their governance successfully. The move helped them restore credibility and retain Olympic status. With a credible governing body, boxing can follow suit.
Judging Overhaul
The 2016 Rio Olympics exposed deep-rooted corruption, biased judging, and match-fixing, marking a turning point for Olympic boxing. The IBA had reportedly replaced the previous computerized scoring system with a 10-point must system. It’s something similar to professional boxing. However, the process lacked transparency. Only three randomly selected judges’ scores counted per round. As a result, concerns about fairness and potential manipulation emerged.
Several fights had controversial outcomes. These include the heavyweight final between Russia’s Evgeny Tishchenko and Kazakhstan’s Vasily Levit. Another controversy arose in the bantamweight quarterfinal between Ireland’s Michael Conlan and Russia’s Vladimir Nikitin.
LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 12: Anthony Joshua of Great Britain celebrates defeating Roberto Cammarelle of Italy to win the Men’s Super Heavy (+91kg) Boxing final bout on Day 16 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at ExCeL on August 12, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Scott Heavey/Getty Images)
Unfair decisions erode trust. They discourage participation and tarnish boxing’s reputation. To restore credibility, the sport must undertake critical reforms. What boxing needs is a standardized global judging system to ensure consistency and fairness across all competitions. There should be open scoring in real-time. The measure will enhance transparency and allow boxers and audiences to track scoring progress throughout the match.
The sport could also leverage high-tech technology. AI-assisted reviews should be introduced to minimize human error. Its usage may potentially eliminate scoring bias. Additionally, the practice of random judge score selection must be abolished. A fully transparent and accountable system should replace it. Following the precedent set by other Olympic sports, to further uphold boxing integrity, neutral officials should be appointed. Strict penalties for corrupt judges and officials must be enforced to deter misconduct and maintain the sport’s credibility.
Finally, boxers themselves should have a voice in shaping the sport’s future. Ensuring boxer representation in governance decisions will create a more athlete-centered approach. It will foster fairness and trust within the boxing community.
Financial Transparency
Boxing’s opaque financial practices may have put its Olympic inclusion at risk. One of the IOC’s primary concerns with the IBA was its financial secrecy. Prize money announcements lacked clear financial sources, leading to suspicions of potential corruption. The IOC thus demands financial accountability. Without full financial transparency, the IOC cannot entrust a governing body with Olympic boxing oversight.
Hence, to ensure financial transparency and restore trust, boxing must implement strict accountability measures. Regular audits of financial transactions track the flow of funds and prevent mismanagement and are the need of the hour. Additionally, making financial records publicly accessible will foster transparency. The measure will reassure stakeholders of ethical financial practices.
To safeguard the sport from undue external influence, strict guidelines on sponsorship deals must be established. Partnerships should align with the sport’s integrity and long-term development.
Stricter Anti-Doping Measures
Ensuring a clean sport is a major priority for the IOC. Strict anti-doping enforcement remains non-negotiable. The IBA’s reported failures in enforcing doping policies led to a loss of confidence from the IOC. That’s why, for boxing to meet Olympic standards, a fully independent anti-doping system is essential.
TOKYO, JAPAN – AUGUST 06: Keyshawn Davis of Team United States (red) celebrates defeating Hovhannes Bachkov of Team Armenia during the Men’s Light (57-63kg) Semifinal 1 on day fourteen of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Kokugikan Arena on August 06, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Buda Mendes/Getty Images)
In this regard, World Boxing appears to be taking the lead. WB joined hands with the International Testing Agency (ITA). Now that could be a game-changer. Starting in October 2024, WB transferred its entire anti-doping program to the ITA. The Lausanne, Switzerland-based organization manages Olympic boxing tournaments also. Based on a sport-specific risk assessment, the program includes both in-competition and out-of-competition testing.
To secure its place at the LA28 Olympics, boxing must commit to rigorous and independent anti-doping measures.
Better Referee & Judge Training
The credibility of boxing hinges on the competence and fairness of referees and judges. Inconsistent officiating and poor decision-making have marred major tournaments, prompting IOC concerns.
To enhance officiating standards, boxing must introduce comprehensive training programs. They should cover rule enforcement, in-ring safety, and ethical decision-making. Additionally, referees and judges should be certified through national and international commissions. They have to meet globally recognized standards.
A structured development pathway should be established. Under the guidance of seasoned mentors, referees should gain experience at the amateur level first. Furthermore, regular workshops, examinations, and performance reviews must be conducted. The systematic approach will uphold consistency, accountability, and the highest level of officiating standards.
If these issues are addressed in a timely manner, boxing can reassure the IOC that it is prepared to enter a new era – one that aligns with the Olympic values of excellence, respect, and friendship.
As the clock ticks toward LA28, the boxing community must act decisively. Cleaning house now will not only safeguard the sport’s Olympic future but also restore trust and credibility on a global scale.
What do you think? Which problem areas in boxing require immediate reform?
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