Split organization World Boxing is negotiating with up to 30 new members to host the 2028 Olympics

RENEN, Switzerland – Breakaway governing body World Boxing is in talks with 25 to 30 potential new member countries with the aim of becoming the preferred partner of the International Olympic Committee, which will run the boxing tournament at the 2028 Los Angeles Games. announced.

World Boxing will replace the International Boxing Association, which was kicked out of the Olympic movement last year after a long dispute with the IOC over the IBA's finances, ties to Russia and concerns about poor or unfair judging of matches. The aims.

“We're getting inquiries from over 25, 30 countries as soon as possible to see if they can apply. And I think there's another 25, 30 countries behind that starting to look at the impact and how they can participate,” World Boxing said. Executive Director Simon Toulson said Thursday.

Toulson added that interest had “increased significantly” since the decision to terminate the IBA's Olympic membership was upheld by the Court of Arbitration for Sport on April 2.

Founded last year, World Boxing currently has 27 full members, including the United States, Britain, Germany and the Philippines. However, only one of them is from Africa, he is from Nigeria, and two are from Asia. This lack of geographic diversity could be a drawback to the agreement with the IOC, which hopes to establish a new boxing partner early next year.

Toulson added that World Boxing's membership numbers from Africa and Asia are likely to be “almost double digits” on each continent, including future members.

The IOC is independently hosting the boxing competition at this year's Paris Olympics, but has warned it cannot continue. The IOC has said that without a new partner governing body, boxing could be dropped from the 2028 Olympic program.

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AP Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/2024-paris-olympic-games