BOXING TO REMAIN IN THE OLYMPICS AFTER IOC VOTE

Since its introduction back in 1904, boxing has been an integral part of the Olympic Games, having been contested at every Games since—except for the 1912 Olympics in Stockholm due to Swedish law banning the sport at the time.

Over the past 120 years, it has been the birthplace of some of sport’s biggest stars—and not just in boxing.

From Muhammad Ali to Katie Taylor and Roy Jones Jr to Vasyl Lomachenko, Olympic boxing has proven to be one of the most iconic and popular events over the years.

However, in recent times, the continuation of boxing at the Olympics has been in major doubt.

With serious concerns over the governance of amateur boxing—including issues such as scoring controversies and positive drug tests—the IOC has repeatedly cast doubt on whether the sport will be included in the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.

But with the Games just over three years away, boxing received its biggest vote of confidence yet since coming under intense scrutiny.

On Thursday morning, the IOC unanimously voted IN FAVOUR of boxing remaining in the Olympics for Los Angeles 2028.

So, why is it so important for boxing to remain in the Olympics?

Well, there are many reasons.

First and foremost—grassroots boxing.

The Olympics is the pinnacle of amateur boxing, and you could argue that it is also the pinnacle of both amateur and professional boxing.

Everyone wants to win a world title in the paid ranks, but an Olympic gold medal—for many, especially in countries like Cuba, Kazakhstan, China, and India, where amateur boxing is the ultimate goal—is held in much higher regard than a professional world title.

Olympic boxing means greater investment in grassroots boxing. Every star of the sport today, whether amateur or professional, had to start somewhere. At one point, they didn’t know a hook from a jab. They honed their skills in local gyms at the grassroots level.

But grassroots boxing isn’t just about producing great fighters. It’s about creating good people, preventing crime, and giving young people with limited opportunities a path forward, as we’ve seen so often.

Take Tyson Fury, for example—raised in Wythenshawe, one of the largest council estates in Europe. Or Anthony Joshua, who grew up on the Meriden estate in Watford. Without boxing, where would the two biggest stars of British boxing be right now?

The second reason boxing must stay in the Olympics: exposure for amateur fighters before turning professional.

For many years, the Olympic Games has been broadcast on terrestrial TV in most countries, allowing casual fans and even those with little interest in the sport to witness the talent emerging from the amateur ranks.

Fighters like Ben Whittaker, who claimed silver at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, were relatively unknown before showcasing their skills in front of over 104 million viewers on the BBC alone.

His Olympic success secured him a lucrative long-term deal with Boxxer. Without the Olympics, would he have landed such a deal? Probably not.

Another key reason: how much the Olympics helps the professional game.

In the last 20 years, 18 Olympic gold medallists have gone on to win world titles in the pro ranks.

The likes of James DeGale, Oleksandr Usyk, Guillermo Rigondeaux, and Katie Taylor—who quite literally transformed women’s boxing single-handedly—have all become some of the sport’s biggest stars after excelling as amateurs before turning professional.

Their success and legacy help grow the sport. How many young girls took up boxing because of Katie Taylor’s success? The numbers are unprecedented.

The bottom line? Boxing must remain in the Olympics.

With the future looking bright for both amateur and professional boxing, we may finally be able to say that the sport is in the safest hands it has been for years.