Ireland are supporting new breakaway governing body World Boxing, which aims to keep boxing as an Olympic Sport.
The breakaway group, which includes both the USA and UK as members, is splitting from the International Boxing Association (IBA) in a bid to see boxing reinstated to the Olympic program for the 2028 Games in Los Angeles.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) will run the 2024 boxing events in Paris after losing faith in the IBA, and currently have no plans to stage boxing at the 2028 Games, meaning, as it currently stands, boxing will no longer be an Olympic sport after 2024.
READ MORE: Jake Paul to fight Nate Diaz in boxing bout as Tommy Fury rematch ditched
World Boxing has been created to ensure that "boxing remains at the heart of the Olympic movement," and crucially, remains an Olympic sport.
A World Boxing statement reads: "World Boxing has been established in response to the persistent issues surrounding Olympic-style boxing’s existing international governing body, whose failure to address the IOC’s longstanding concerns over sporting integrity, governance, transparency and financial management has placed boxing’s future as an Olympic sport in doubt.
"World Boxing will seek recognition from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and plans to work constructively and collaboratively to develop a pathway that will preserve boxing’s ongoing place on the Olympic competition programme."
Speaking to the Irish Examiner shortly after news of the breakaway body was announced, Irish Athletic Boxing Association (IABA) President Gerry O’Mahony confirmed that Ireland would be supporting the breakaway group.
We feel strongly about this,” he said, “I see this as a great opportunity for Ireland to be part of this new allegiance. It gives us a better footing because we were one of the first to support it. A new association is the way we are heading.”
The conflict between the IOC and IBA stretches as far back as 2016. The IBA were suspended by the IOC in 2018 and did not organise the boxing events for the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.
The rift between the two organisations deepened last year when IBA President Umar Kremlev of Russia refused to step down after the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Irish boxing has long been on the IOC's side of the argument and announced earlier this year that they would not be sending athletes to the 2023 IBA World Championships.
When asked about the possibility of legal disputes between the IBA and World Boxing at a media briefing on Thursday afternoon, USA Boxing President Tyson Lee seemed unconcerned.
"We’re not really worried about what the IBA does,” said Lee.
“We’re only concerned about what we set up and what we do. We don’t have any members at this point. We don’t start handing out applications until May because the most important part in establishing this organisation was to set up the proper statutes and rules so we could govern properly.
“We aren’t worried about what IBA does. They are going to do what they do. We just want to create a successful environment for our members and athletes.”
As part of its launch, World Boxing pledged to keep boxing at the heart of the Olympic movement, ensure the interests of boxers are put first, deliver sporting integrity and fair competitions, create a competition structure designed in the best interests of the boxers and operate according to the strongest governance standards and transparent financial management.
"Independent, third-party oversight and enforceability," will be key to World Boxing's governance as they seek to "ensure sporting integrity."
An interim board of ten members has been selected and will remain in place until an inaugural annual congress in November 2023. At that congress, an executive board and President will be elected.
READ MORE
- Robbie Keane pictured with disgraced former FAI boss John Delaney and Luis Figo in London
- Louth GAA thank US President Joe Biden and Ireland legend Rob Kearney for supporting new stadium venture
- Bravemansgame not permitted to run at Aintree after FCA intervention
- Surprise as Croke Park not part of FAI's Euro 2028 bid
- Rory McIlroy: Possible ramifications for missing RBC Heritage
Get the latest sports headlines straight to your inbox by signing up for free email alerts
