Boxing earns spot in Los Angeles 2028 Summer Games, says IOC

IOC grants provisional recognition to World Boxing, securing its place in LA 2028 Games after years of uncertainty.

Boxing was included on Thursday in the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics programme after a unanimous vote from the International Olympic Committee, ending years of doubt over the sport's Olympic future.

The IOC last month granted provisional recognition to World Boxing in a major step towards the sport's inclusion in the LA Games and Thursday's decision ensured the sport's Olympic presence would continue.

"I thank you for the approval of having boxing back. We can look forward to a great boxing tournament," IOC President Thomas Bach said.

The boxing competition at the Paris 2024 Games was run by the IOC after it stripped the International Boxing Association of recognition in 2023 over its failure to implement reforms on governance and finance.

The IOC had not included the sport on the initial LA 2028 programme, having urged national boxing federations to create a new global boxing body to replace the IBA.

World Boxing, currently with more than 80 national federations as members, was launched in 2023.

"This is a great day for boxers, boxing and everyone connected with our sport at every level across the world," said World Boxing President Boris van der Vorst.