Is World Boxing recognized by IOC? We will reveal the facts on the situation ahead of the next Olympics in boxing.
While former world champion and chairman of World Boxing Gennady Golovkin has not been doing well personally for the organization recently and with his failure to work with the sport’s biggest amateur boxing organization, the IBA (International Boxing Association), for now, the organization at least of World Boxing is recognized by the IOC (International Olympic Committee) ahead of the next Olympics.
In LA in the USA in 2028.
- World Boxing received provisional recognition from the IOC Executive Board on February 26, 2025.
- Provisional status makes it the IOC’s current partner federation for Olympic boxing.
- Boxing was officially confirmed for the LA 2028 Olympics under World Boxing’s governance (IOC Session, March 2025).
- The IOC permanently withdrew recognition from the IBA in June 2023.
- World Boxing was founded in 2023 as a breakaway from the IBA.
- Key requirements met for provisional status: good governance, WADA/ITA anti-doping compliance, financial stability, and broad membership.
- Membership grew rapidly: ~80 federations in early 2025 → over 150 by late 2025/early 2026.
- World Boxing now runs the official Olympic qualification pathway for LA 2028.
- Full (permanent) IOC recognition is still pending — expected to be decided closer to or during 2026–2027.
- Until full recognition is granted, provisional status is sufficient for World Boxing to organise Olympic boxing in 2028.
Short version: Yes — provisionally recognized since Feb 2025 and running LA 2028 Olympics.
Full recognition still to come.
Much will depend on how the next Olympics goes but most in boxing want the IBA to take over as they are a much bigger organization.
With much more credibility with elite level world champion professional boxers always at their events and endorsing them.
Even boxing icon Manny Pacquiao is even the IBA new Vice President for goodness sake.
