International Boxing Association stripped by International Olympic Committee of status

June 23: The International Olympic Committee has voted to strip the International Boxing Association of its status as the sport's world governing body.

The IOC's executive board recommended the move earlier in June after the IBA failed to meet set reforms following its 2019 suspension over governance issues and alleged corruption.

Of 70 valid votes on Thursday, 69 voted in favour of the recommendation.

In April, World Boxing - a breakaway international federation - was formed.

Boxing at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics was organised by the IOC amid concerns over the IBA's finance, governance, ethics, refereeing and judging, and the Olympic body will be in charge again for Paris 2024.

The sport had been left off the initial programme for Los Angeles 2028 but, speaking during the IOC's 140th session in which the vote was held, IOC director general Christophe de Kepper said he "guarantees" boxing will be on the programme in five years' time.

The programme for those Games will be finalised by the IOC in October.

Before the vote, IOC President Thomas Bach said: "We do not have a problem with boxing. We do not have a problem with boxers.

"The boxers fully deserve to be governed by an international federation with integrity and transparency."

In response, the Russian-led IBA accused the IOC of making a "tremendous error" and compared the move to Germany's actions in the Second World War.

An IBA statement read: "We have successfully implemented all recommendations outlined by the IOC in its roadmap.

"Despite the challenges, the IBA remains committed to the development of boxing and the organization of official tournaments and World Boxing Championships at the highest level.

"We cannot conceal the fact that today's decision is catastrophic for global boxing and blatantly contradicts the IOC's claims of acting in the best interests of boxing and athletes."

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (Cas) rejected an appeal by the IBA against the recommendation on Tuesday.

At the time of the executive board's recommendation, the IBA said it was a "truly abhorrent and purely political" move.

In a statement, World Boxing said it "welcomed" the IOC's announcement to strip the IBA of its status, adding that it was a "hugely significant moment for the sport".

"World Boxing understands that being part of the Olympic Games is a privilege and not a right," the statement added.

"It is committed to working constructively and collaboratively with the IOC and all other stakeholders to develop a pathway that will preserve boxing's long-term place on the Olympic programme."

(BBC)