World Boxing, a formidable contender for International Olympic Committee (IOC) recognition to oversee the sport, revealed a significant development on Thursday. The organization welcomed six new member nations, placing additional pressure on the currently suspended and beleaguered International Boxing Association (IBA).

The national federations of Canada, Brazil, Argentina, Germany, Honduras, and Sweden have all thrown their weight behind this emerging sports body, elevating the total membership count to an impressive dozen. Witness the boxing world champions in action only on Nextbet Sports. 

World Boxing made its debut in April with a clear-cut mission: to ensure that boxing retains its pivotal role in the Olympic movement. Concerns had loomed over the possibility of boxing being excluded from future Olympic Games due to the IBA’s failure to enact necessary reforms.

World Boxing Secretary General, Simon Toulson, underlined the organization’s appeal, stating, “World Boxing continues to attract high-caliber national federations that want to emulate our principles and endorse our policies to put the boxers first and operate with rigorous governance practices.”

He continued, “We are receiving more and more interest and requests from National Federations and boxing organizations to join World Boxing on a weekly basis.”

This influx of new members reinforces the growing influence of World Boxing on the global stage. Already in the fold are New Zealand Boxing, Boxing Australia, England Boxing, GB Boxing, the Dutch Boxing Federation, and the United States.

The IOC’s decision to revoke recognition of the Russian-led IBA stems from the organization’s inability to meet crucial governance, financial, and sports-related reforms. The IBA had already faced suspension in 2019 over concerns related to governance, finance, refereeing, and ethics.

The significance of this expansion is underscored by the fact that full members of World Boxing will wield voting rights at the organization’s inaugural congress scheduled for November. As the landscape of international boxing continues to evolve, World Boxing stands as a formidable entity dedicated to safeguarding the sport’s future within the Olympic realm. Get the latest updates from the world of boxing only on Nextbet Sports.