Following Thursday’s decision by the International Olympic Committee to withdraw its recognition of the International Boxing Association, the Asian Boxing Confederation — consisting of 43 affiliated national federations — is set to withdraw from the IBA, and is now looking for a way to function under the exceptional conditions of a suspended international federation.
According to the Olympic Charter, each sport must be managed by an international federation to compete in the Olympic Games. As a result, boxing now risks being removed from the Olympic sports program.
On June 23 in Bangkok, on the 129th anniversary of the IOC’s founding and a day after the IOC’s decision, the board of the ASBC recommended an extraordinary congress to amend its constitution, allowing it to function in the current exceptional situation and align with an international federation recognised by the IOC.
The board authorized the ASBC president and secretary-general to liaise closely with all international and national stakeholders in the sport, as well as take any action deemed appropriate and keep all members updated.
It was also resolved to postpone all upcoming ASBC Asian Boxing Championships scheduled for the year until further notice, including the Youth and Junior Boxing Championships scheduled for July 14 in Kazakhstan.
The ASBC is the largest boxing confederation in the world.
“As a confederation we believe that the Olympics represent the pinnacle of athletic achievement, and they provide a platform for athletes from every corner of the world to come together and compete on a level playing field,” said ASBC president and vice president of the National Olympic Committee of Thailand, Pichai Chunhavajira.
“As a continent we have won the most medals on the Olympic stage over the years, and as an organization, we are committed to supporting our athletes in their pursuit of the Olympic dream,” he added. “The Olympics represent a beacon of hope for the world, and we intend to put all of ASBC’s extensive resources in full support of the Olympic Movement.”
The ASBC said it respects the IOC’s decision to withdraw its recognition of the IBA.
“It is necessary for us as a confederation to remain under the umbrella of the IOC and follow the Olympic movement,” said Chunhavajira.
The ASBC has promised to throw all of its resources behind the IOC, offering the IOC Boxing Taskforce full access to their world class referees, judges and ITO, and will “look to work seamlessly with all National Olympic Committees and National Federations to the sole benefit of their athletes.”
However, the IOC’s decision is seen as highly irregular, and the future of boxing remains unclear without a single, authorized, IOC-approved authority.
