The nightmare scenario for Olympic boxing is creeping ever closer. Boxing is on the brink of having its expulsion from the 2028 Games confirmed and is only beginning to grapple with the ramifications that would have across every level of the sport.
The current leadership of IBA, the world governing body for amateur boxing, has been lambasted for failing to reform itself and failing to satisfy the requirements the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has for it to remain an Olympic sport.
“Quite frankly the current leadership has failed to do the basics of just good proper governance. I think the IOC is going to have to come out strong,” the executive director of USA Boxing, Mike McAtee told Sky Sports.
Boxing’s future as an Olympic sport is in grave doubt (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)
“We’re concerned about it because not only does it impact our boxers but every boxer and wannabe boxer across the world. The implications of failed leadership at the IBA level will impact from eight-year-olds in the United States of America to Olympians in European, Africa and Asia.
“It’s about proper governance, it’s about taking care of the athletes, it’s about fair play, it’s about ethics, it’s about cultural change and IBA doesn’t seem to get it.”
The problems date back to the IOC’s expectation that the IBA resolve its issues with governance, problems with alleged corruption and…
