World Boxing Granted Provisional Olympic Recognition by IOC

World Boxing has welcomed the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) decision to grant it provisional recognition as the International Federation (IF) governing the sport of boxing within the Olympic Movement.

Following the IOC’s announcement on February 26, 2025, World Boxing President Boris van der Vorst called it a crucial step toward securing boxing’s place in the Olympic Games.

“This is a very significant day for everyone connected with the sport of boxing in the Olympic Movement,” van der Vorst said. “Keeping its place at the Olympic Games is absolutely critical to the future of our sport at every level, from grassroots to professional boxing. This decision by the IOC takes us one step closer to our objective of seeing boxing restored to the Olympic program.

“It has taken a huge team effort to get to this point, and none of it would have been possible without the hard work of National Federations, boxers, coaches, officials, and leaders around the world. Today’s decision is an important milestone, but we understand that being part of the Olympic Movement is a privilege and a responsibility, not a right. There is still much work to be done, and we remain fully committed to securing a better future for our sport.”

The IOC’s decision was also praised by former two-time unified world middleweight champion Gennadiy Golovkin, who serves as Chair of World Boxing’s Olympic Commission and President of the National Olympic Committee of Kazakhstan.

“Receiving provisional Olympic recognition from the IOC is an important achievement and demonstrates that our sport is on the right path,” said Golovkin, a 2004 Olympic silver medalist. “This decision brings us one step closer to our main goal—preserving boxing at the Olympic Games. Establishing an international federation built on integrity and fairness is our shared mission for future generations of athletes and champions.”

The announcement was met with enthusiasm from Olympic medalists from Paris 2024 and Tokyo 2020.

Cindy Ngamba, the first refugee athlete in history to win an Olympic boxing medal, highlighted the impact of the Games on her career. “Competing at the Olympics transformed my life and shows how important it is for boxers to have this opportunity,” she said. “For male and female boxers across the world, the IOC’s decision keeps the Olympic dream alive.”

Richard Torrez Jr., a Tokyo 2020 super-heavyweight silver medalist who now fights professionally under Top Rank, called the decision “a very positive step” for boxing’s future.

Tokyo 2020 gold medalist and current WBA, IBO, and The Ring welterweight world champion Lauren Price echoed the sentiment. “Nothing in my professional career will ever top the achievement of winning Olympic gold,” Price said. “World Boxing has worked tirelessly to ensure that future generations of boxers can continue to chase their Olympic dreams. The IOC’s decision is a massive boost for the sport and the hopes of male and female boxers worldwide.”

With the IOC’s provisional recognition, World Boxing moves closer to securing boxing’s place in future Olympic Games, providing a critical pathway for the sport’s development at every level.