(April 3rd) On March 27, 2024, IOC President Thomas Bach addressed representatives of the 17 National Olympic Committees (NOC) from across the Oceania region at the ONOC Annual General Assembly in Fiji. During his presentation, President Bach highlighted the need for global sport leaders to not only apply good governance at the continental or NOC level, but at the National Federation (NF) level as well. He identified the requirement of NOC and continental leaders to monitor the governance of National Federations and noted that governance failures of National Federations will inevitably impact NOCs and continental associations.

“We are always judged by our weakest links. Nobody is…paying attention if everything is going well, but if something is going wrong in one of our member organizations, that affects us all and the general public does not make a difference between a National Member Federation…an organizing committee of any sport event, an NOC, or a continental association or other International Federations or the IOC...”

President Bach proceeded to identify the sport of Olympic-style boxing and the International Boxing Association (IBA) as a concrete example of this. He mentioned the “…long, long list of failures over so many years in their governance…” when referring to the IOC’s withdrawing of IBA’s Olympic recognition in June 2023, and stated that the status of Olympic-style boxing in Los Angeles for 2028 and Brisbane for 2032 are still at risk. While IOC leadership has maintained the stance that they want boxing to be included in the Olympic Program due to its global nature and impact on underprivileged people across all nations, President Bach reiterated the IOC’s stated position that boxing’s continued inclusion on the Olympic Program requires an International Federation (IF) rooted in strong governance.

“To be very blunt, every National Boxing Federation and every NOC who wants to see their boxers in the Olympic tournament…will not be able to do so with this International Federation of which we have withdrawn the recognition [IBA]. If we do not have, in the near future, a reliable and representative International Federation at our side, then it will not be possible to have boxing on the program in LA.”

USA Boxing was the first National Federation to leave IBA in April of 2023 after its 77-year relationship as a charter member, and was the first to submit a completed application for membership to World Boxing. USA Boxing membership and the mission of World Boxing have been supported by the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) every step of the way as the Olympic boxing crisis persisted. As a Founding Member of World Boxing, USA Boxing worked to ensure that the robust statutes were rooted in strong governance principles. Our support for World Boxing’s mission is not solely driven by the threat of boxing’s exclusion from the Olympic Program, but primarily by the unwavering belief that our boxers deserve an International Federation that operates according to strong governance, financial transparency, and fairness in the field of play. We are committed to working with World Boxing leaders to ensure that the organization upholds these principles and recognizes that being part of the Olympic Movement is a privilege rather than a right.

President Bach and IOC leadership cannot be any clearer—IBA’s failures in governance are not isolated to the boxing community. These failures impact sports representatives throughout the world, including but not limited to leaders of NOCs, other NFs and IFs, brand representatives, and the IOC itself. Continued support for an organization possessing such a track record of governance failures is inexcusable and fails our athletes.

We call on leaders of not just boxing National Federation leaders, but leaders of NOCs and other International Federations to stand up for our athletes by supporting boxing’s new International Federation and working together to ensure adherence to best-in-class governance principles.

USA Boxing Alumni Association

Created to champion a lifelong, mutually beneficial relations between USA Boxing and its alumni, --boxers, officials, coaches and boxing fans -- The Alumni Association connects generations of champions, inspiring and giving back to USA Boxing’s future boxing champions, in and out of the ring.

The USA Boxing Alumni Association is open to anyone who has a love for boxing and would like to stay connected with amateur boxing. Members are granted access to a wide variety of special events hosted by the Alumni Association, including its annual USA Boxing Alumni Association Hall of Fame reception.

To join the Alumni Association, simply register at alumni@usaboxing.org for a $40.00 per year membership fee. New members will receive a T-shirt, keychain and e-wallet.

“Eric continues to be a great ambassador for USA Boxing,” said Chris Cugliari, USA Boxing Alumni Association Director. “Whether it’s through teaching and mentoring youth through the sport of boxing, or pursuing his countless ventures outside of the ring, he relentlessly pursues his passions and gives back to the next generation. It wouldn’t surprise me if he ran for President someday. We’re excited to witness the next chapters of his journey and appreciate everything he has given to our sport.”

Eric Kelly is now on the Silver Screen and a trip to Los Angeles for next year’s 96th Academy Awards may be in the stars.

ABOUT USA BOXING

USA Boxing is the National Governing Body for Olympic-style amateur boxing in the United States. USA Boxing is a non-profit corporation and a member of the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee, responsible for training, competition and development of the sport, as well as nominating athletes to the U.S. Olympic, Youth Olympic and Pan American Games Teams. With over 50,000 members, including athletes, coaches, officials, physicians and administrators, USA Boxing sanctions all Olympic-style boxing competitions in the United States and has a mission to promote and grow Olympic-style amateur boxing in the United States and to inspire the tireless pursuit of Olympic gold and enable athletes and coaches to achieve sustained competitive excellence. Additionally, USA Boxing endeavors to teach all participants the character, confidence and focus they need to become resilient and diverse champions, both in and out of the ring. USA Boxing is one team, one nation, going for gold!