Uzbekistan backs World Boxing’s drive to secure boxing’s Olympic future
Boris van der Vorst, the President of World Boxing, recently met with Uzbekistan’s Minister of Sports, Adkham Ikromov, to discuss the future of boxing at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games. The meeting aimed to address concerns regarding boxing’s inclusion in the Olympic program and focused on efforts to ensure that the sport remains a part of the prestigious event.
Van der Vorst expressed his appreciation for the strong support received from Uzbekistan in this endeavour. Taking to his Instagram account, he praised Uzbekistan as a significant player in the boxing world and reiterated World Boxing’s commitment to safeguarding boxing’s place in the Olympic program.
The discussion also touched upon Uzbekistan’s anticipated success at the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics, particularly in men’s boxing, where the country’s team is expected to clinch the top spot with five gold medals. Uzbek sports officials reaffirmed their unwavering stance on preserving boxing’s presence at the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.
However, Olympic boxing currently faces challenges following the exclusion of the International Boxing Association (IBA) from the Olympic family due to financial mismanagement, governance issues, and questionable officiating practices. The IOC’s decision has significant implications, with President Thomas Bach emphasizing the need for national federations to align with a credible and well-managed international federation to ensure their boxers’ participation in the upcoming Olympic Games.
In response to the crisis surrounding the IBA, World Boxing was established to represent dissatisfied national federations and uphold the Olympic future of amateur boxing. The organization aims to provide a stable and transparent framework that meets the IOC’s standards for inclusion in the Olympic program.
Countries like Kazakhstan have also shown their support by announcing their intention to join World Boxing, illustrating a collective effort to secure the Olympic future of their boxers.
The meeting between van der Vorst and Uzbek officials underscores the vital role that World Boxing plays in ensuring that amateur boxers, including those from Uzbekistan, have the opportunity to compete at the highest level of the sport. The collaboration and support from nations like Uzbekistan will be instrumental in shaping the future of boxing at the Olympics.
