The multi-move special operation of the retiring IOC leadership has been completed, as following several years of turmoil the Olympic governing body has just announced the inclusion of boxing into LA 2028 programme. As a matter of fact, the IOC leadership first caused the issue directly, threatening the existence of boxing at the Games, followed by a suspension of the boxing governing body IBA (back then – AIBA) recognition in 2019, with a goal to destroy the organization within the next few years.

If one checks chronology of the IOC’s moves, it becomes clear that there was a step-by-step campaign of wiping the organization from the sporting landscape. Be that the IBA were less powerful and independent, it would have not existed to date.

The suspension of AIBA came in May 2019, and by that time, the IOC had already cut off the Olympic revenue funds, which used to be crucial for the boxing governing body budget, but the IBA survived. Being on the edge of bankruptcy and laying off the most of its staff, in early 2021 the IBA led by newly elected President Umar Kremlev clears the debts and attracts the sponsors, restoring the operations of the office. By 2022, the world saw a strong and independent boxing governing body with high standards maintained at all areas.

Not only did IBA survive the long crisis, but it completely changed the boxing landscape with its Financial Support Program (FSP), prize money allocation and multiple reforms led by world-class experts, which improved all processes including the governance model and sporting integrity.

Severe issues of the past AIBA, led previously by the IOC Member and IOC Executive Board member at time, CK Wu, were revealed in a report produced by worldwide renowned expert, Professor Richard McLaren. The report included a huge corruption scandal taking place within AIBA led by CK Wu right during the Rio 2016 Olympics at the boxing venue, and the IOC led by Thomas Bach, let this happen. Neither actions to investigate the situation nor any sanctions towards CK Wu were in place.

In fact, all (A)IBA-IOC issues started from the moment, when CK Wu was given a vote of no confidence in boxing for his multiple wrongdoings. Since then, the long-term plan to try to eliminate the IBA has been developed and implemented.

The IOC crusade against the IBA was a well thought out chain of actions, and there was not a single argument provided by the IBA able to change the decision, which was absolutely predetermined. We have never received a detailed explanation what kept being “wrong” from the IOC’s perspective in our governance, finance and sporting integrity.

By completing the reforms process, the IBA was deemed no longer a convenient entity which would do follow literally anything by the call of Maison Olympique, but an independent and strong organization caring for boxing and our athletes. This fact, as well as personality of the democratically elected President Umar Kremlev from Russia, did not please the IOC, who had full authority over boxing matters. It was not the first time when the IOC indirectly intervene the democratic will of the IBA Congress via expressing their dissatisfaction publicly.

Despite it might look as if the IOC leadership “was giving IBA a chance to improve”, there was never any chance. Lack of direct IBA-IOC communication for years simply meant that IBA’s efforts were ignored and disregarded. However much more positive improvements we reported, zero of these were acknowledged.

This whole situation has been fabricated to create a new governing body for boxing, which would be conveniently led by the IOC under the threat of Olympic boxing exclusion. They have even quietly changed the rules of accepting the new International Federation for the sake of speed-tracking World Boxing’s provisional recognition. Two weeks after the latter, the IOC confirmed: boxing will be in LA 2028 programme, credit to World Boxing.

While it is sold this way, World Boxing was declared by their auditor “over-indebted” just three months ago, in December 2024, according to the auditor report. On 24 February they signed some unclear sponsorship agreement with a newly established events firm, a few weeks old itself, which led to an IOC Executive Board immediate recognition in just a record 2 days, confirming that finances were cleared. Which should mean that in two days World Boxing was able to transfer the necessary millions of dollars into their accounts, and the IOC Executive Board was persuaded enough. In turn, IBA’s accounts with millions of dollars were disregarded, and even when the IOC requested a copy of confidential financial agreements, which IBA agreed to show but not to share, it still was not persuasive enough. The IOC spoke about diversification of funds, which amusingly enough World Boxing cannot demonstrate as of now.

What happens with Olympic revenue for at least two Olympic cycles, remains unclear so far. It might be an answer on how the IOC approved disturbing financial situation of World Boxing, if they decided to reallocate this to the organization. However, these funds belong rightly to IBA, and the transfer of this money to World Boxing, should it happen, is completely unlawful.

Predetermined destiny of boxing at the Olympics means that the story will repeat itself in no time. A non-independent governing body will not protect the rights of the athletes and fight for their well-being, as there always will be someone else’s interests at stake.

In the light of the above-mentioned, IBA keeps fighting for the best future of our boxers, coaches, and National Federations.

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Media contacts:

Elena Sobol, Head of Communications and PR, International Boxing Association: elena.sobol@iba.sport