THE Irish Athletic Boxing Association says it is “imperative” that boxing finds a way to remain an Olympic sport after the International Boxing Association (IBA) was banished by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
The International Olympic Committee voted 69-1 in favour of a motion to remove recognition from boxing’s world governing body (IBA).
Boxing is Ireland’s most successful Olympic sport. More than half (18) of the country’s 35 medals have been won in the ring and national heroes, from John McNally in Helsinki in 1952 through Jim McCourt (who sadly passed away this week), Hugh Russell, Wayne McCullough, Paddy Barnes, Michael Conlan and Katie Taylor, have been produced.
Losing Olympic status and the shop window it provides would deal a crippling blow to the sport and, although boxing will be part of the Paris Games in 2024 (not under IABA auspices), it hasn’t been included in the list of for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.
The Irish Athletic Boxing Association has distanced itself from the IBA and boycotted the IBA World Championships this year over concerns with the body’s “activities and practices”.
“It is imperative that boxing remains on the Olympic programme, post Paris, given that our sport is Ireland’s most successful Olympic sport,” read an Irish Athletic Boxing Association statement.
The Irish Athletic Boxing Association board of directors and central council officer board will hold a joint meeting early next week to discuss the IOC’s decision and its implications for boxing, for Irish boxing, and for IABA member clubs.
“After that meeting, both bodies will revert to clubs to engage with them on the path ahead,” ended the statement.
In 2022, an independent investigation said boxing needed to take action on ethical issues to secure its Olympic future, having found a "historical culture of bout manipulation" including at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games.
In April, World Boxing - a breakaway international federation which is led by an interim board made up of representatives from Great Britain, Germany, the Netherlands, New Zealand, the Philippines, Sweden and the USA - was formed and it will seek IOC recognition but that could take up to two years.
