When the Olympic Games Los Angeles 2028 (LA28) committee confirmed the 33 sports that would be included in the programme, boxing was notably absent from that list.
Boxing has been under scrutiny since the Rio 2016 Olympics, marred by judging controversies. In 2019, the IOC suspended the International Boxing Association (IBA) due to governance and financial issues. Last October, the LA28 committee also revealed that five new sports would also be included at the next Olympics.
🚨LA28’s Olympic Sport Program is Confirmed!
Which new sport are you excited to see #LA28BOUND?! pic.twitter.com/Ra5QSEr5G0— LA28 (@LA28) October 16, 2023
For decades, boxing has been a cornerstone of the Olympic Games. Dating back almost as far as human civilization itself, boxing as a sport can be traced back to ancient Egypt around 3000 BC. With its primal essence, boxing pits two opponents against each other in a ring, aiming to win by landing punches using only their fists. Over the years, it has evolved into a sophisticated sport, incorporating complex strategies and techniques. Despite its modern complexities, the essence of boxing remains unchanged to uphold its popularity and excitement.
Boxing has had a close association with the Olympic Games since ancient times. Its debut in the ancient Games dates back to 688 BC in Greece, with Onomastos of Smyrna emerging as the inaugural Olympic boxing champion. Historical records attribute Onomastos as the originator of the rules for ancient boxing.
In the modern era, boxing was included in the Olympic program at the 1904 St. Louis Games in the USA, featuring eighteen local boxers competing across seven weight classes. Since then, boxing has been a staple at the Summer Games, with the exception of Stockholm 1912, due to Sweden's ban on the sport at the time. Women's boxing was included at the London Olympics only in 2012.
Olympic boxing, in particular, has played a significant role in the sports enduring appeal.
So with the possible exclusion of boxing at the LA28 Games, and the addition of new sports, it feels like the end of an era for Olympic boxing, akin to a Greek tragedy.
Yet, amidst the uncertainty, there is an opportunity to celebrate the rich legacy of Olympic boxing and honor the athletes who have graced the ring with their talent and dedication.
The Olympic Games have served as a platform for underrepresented nations and aspiring athletes to showcase their skills on the world stage. For many boxers, competing in the Olympics is the culmination of a lifelong journey, representing not only personal achievement but also national pride and unity.
The inclusion of women's boxing at the Olympics has also been a significant milestone in challenging societal norms and breaking stereotypes. Much credit is owed to boxing icon Katie Taylor, whose relentless advocacy played a pivotal role in legitimizing female bouts and garnering recognition from the IOC. The Bray native ensued in a battle firstly against the Irish Boxing authorities to legalise female bouts and then participated in showcase fights in front of IOC officials in Russia and the US, aiming to convince them to take women's boxing seriously and include it in the 2012 London Games. Taylor’s fighting paid off when the IOC agreed to introduced women's boxing to the Games. Taylor went on to become one of the greatest female boxers in history, while also paving the way for many other talented female boxers to gain spotlight.
Up until London 2012, women's boxing did not exist at the Olympic Games. Katie Taylor may be Ireland's greatest ever athlete but her legacy on women's boxing will be remembered on the global stage forever. #BreakTheBias #IWDhttps://t.co/htbeY6QKZ9 pic.twitter.com/M4kuRB400u
— Her Sport (@HerSportDotIE) March 8, 2022
However, the departure of boxing from the Olympics also serves as a sobering reminder of the need for reform within the sport. Concerns over judging controversies, safety standards, and governance have plagued Olympic boxing in recent years, raising valid questions about its compatibility with the values of the Olympic movement. While the absence of boxing in future Games may be lamentable, it also presents an opportunity for the sport to undergo much-needed transformation and emerge stronger and more equitable than ever before.
Speaking at a press conference on 19 March 2024, IOC Sports Director Kit McConnell said: “The IOC EB made it clear, once again, that this must be the last time that such a process can be undertaken by the IOC. Following the decision by the IOC Session last year, the inclusion of boxing in the LA28 Olympic programme is on hold and not confirmed. If there is no boxing body supported and driven by the National Federations, we will not be in a position to include boxing in the Olympic programme.
“So it’s now up to the National Federations to drive this change and to work to create a body that we can work in partnership with, because we cannot move forward with this current situation.
“The IOC Session in Mumbai in 2023 also made it clear that the IBA will not be involved in the organisation of the boxing tournament at LA28, should boxing be included in the sports programme.”
The IOC has, along with several national governing bodies, transitioned to a new World Boxing body, including USA Boxing in order to improve relations with the IOC - keeping a flame of hope ablaze for the sports inclusion in future Games.
