Boxing has been officially confirmed as part of the sports program for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, following a unanimous vote by members of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) during its 144th Session held in Costa Navarino, Greece. The announcement marks the resolution of a period of uncertainty surrounding the sport’s status in the upcoming Olympics, after years of governance disputes and leadership changes within international boxing.
The decision, supported by a proposal from the IOC Executive Board, follows the provisional recognition of World Boxing as the international governing body responsible for overseeing the sport at the global level. The vote signifies a pivotal moment in the lead-up to the Olympics 2028, with boxing now assured of its place in the official competition calendar.
The inclusion of boxing is notable not just for the athletes and federations involved, but also for its broad implications within the Olympic Movement. It reaffirms the importance of governance standards and highlights the IOC’s commitment to maintaining integrity across all disciplines. For fans, stakeholders, and operators such as dbbet skachat, which closely track developments in Olympic sports, the final decision provides clarity and an opportunity to re-engage with one of the oldest and most storied sports in the Games.
A Sport with a Deep Olympic Legacy
Boxing has a long history with the Olympic Games, first appearing in the modern program at the 1904 St. Louis Games and continuing in nearly every edition since. The only exception was the 1912 Stockholm Olympics, where local laws prohibited boxing.
Throughout its Olympic history, boxing has produced a wide range of legends — from Muhammad Ali (then Cassius Clay) to Teófilo Stevenson and Vasiliy Lomachenko. These athletes have contributed not only to the sport’s prestige but to the wider narrative of what the Olympic Games represent.
The reaffirmation of boxing’s place in the 2028 Olympic Games is therefore a continuation of that tradition, even if the journey to this point has been more complex than in previous decades.
Governance Crisis and Resolution
The initial exclusion of boxing from the Olympics 2028 program was not due to athletic concerns, but rather rooted in governance issues surrounding the sport’s former international federation — the International Boxing Association (IBA). The IBA had faced mounting criticism over transparency, financial irregularities, and inconsistent judging standards in previous competitions.
In June 2023, following multiple warnings and reviews, the IOC officially withdrew recognition of the IBA. The future of Olympic boxing was immediately put into question. Without a recognized governing body, the sport was left in limbo, prompting concerns from athletes, coaches, and national federations.
Recognizing the urgency of the matter, a consortium of national boxing federations came together to form World Boxing, a new entity committed to restoring confidence in the sport’s governance. After several months of assessment, the IOC Executive Board provisionally recognized World Boxing on February 26, 2025, citing improvements in transparency, athlete representation, and operational independence.
This move cleared the way for Thursday’s vote in Greece, where members of the IOC Session gave their unanimous backing to re-include the sport in the 2028 Olympic Games.
Statements from the IOC and World Boxing
IOC President Thomas Bach welcomed the decision, noting:
“We can look forward to a great Olympic boxing tournament in LA. The inclusion reflects the commitment of the new federation and the entire boxing community to uphold the values and standards expected within the Olympic framework.”
World Boxing, in its own statement, emphasized its mission to build a sustainable, fair, and athlete-focused future for the sport. “Today’s result confirms our collective progress in reforming international boxing. Our work continues, but this is a strong step forward for boxers around the world,” the federation said.
The IOC has confirmed that the Olympic boxing competition at LA 2028 will be organized in close coordination with World Boxing, with oversight mechanisms in place to ensure adherence to Olympic standards, especially in areas such as anti-doping, judging transparency, and athlete safety.
Athlete and Federation Reactions
National federations and athletes responded positively to the news, many of whom had been preparing for the Olympics 2028 amid uncertainty. From Uzbekistan, a country known for its strong boxing program, members of the Olympic UZ delegation welcomed the announcement. “This is a big moment. Our athletes now have a clear path forward and can focus fully on preparation,” said a representative of Olympic UZ.
In the United States, where boxing has deep roots and a large amateur base, the news was also met with enthusiasm. The U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) released a statement affirming its readiness to support the successful staging of the Olympic boxing tournament in Los Angeles.
What It Means for the 2028 Olympic Games
The inclusion of boxing adds further depth to the already dynamic lineup of sports at LA 2028, which is expected to be one of the most diverse in Olympic history. With the addition of youth-focused events like skateboarding, sport climbing, and surfing, and the return of traditional Olympic disciplines like wrestling and athletics, boxing reinforces the Olympic balance between innovation and heritage.
Organizers of the Los Angeles Games are preparing to host the boxing competition at a venue that reflects the sport’s cultural significance, possibly utilizing existing infrastructure in downtown LA or nearby college arenas. More details are expected to be finalized later this year.
For platforms and partners like db bet, the confirmation of boxing’s status provides both stability and renewed commercial interest in Olympic events. As qualification tournaments resume and federations align under World Boxing, attention will turn to ranking events and national team selection.
Looking Ahead
With this decision, the road is now open for boxing to shine once again on the Olympic stage. The athletes who have trained for years in uncertainty now have a goal in sight — a chance to compete for Olympic glory in Los Angeles in 2028.
From Nairobi to Tashkent, from Havana to Philadelphia, the Olympic boxing community can now prepare for a tournament that not only showcases the best in athletic ability but also affirms the sport’s enduring place within the Olympic Movement.
The journey from crisis to inclusion has been long, but the unanimous vote in Costa Navarino signals a new era. With governance reformed and leadership refocused, boxing has its chance — not only to perform but to evolve.
As the countdown to the 2028 Olympic Games begins, one of the oldest Olympic disciplines steps back into the spotlight, ready to deliver moments of discipline, drama, and determination — hallmarks of boxing at its finest.
