'This is a watershed moment' – Irish boxing's Olympic future safe as IABA joins breakaway governing body World Boxing
World Boxing's membership has now surpassed the landmark of 100 members after its executive board approved the applications of 17 national federations, to take its total to 106 countries.
The breakaway governing body split with the long-established but troubled International Boxing Association [IBA] in 2023, the same year the IBA was banished from the Olympic movement, having been suspended due to governance issues in 2019.
The IABA join federations including Cuba, Spain, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Uganda and Venezuela, in becoming members of the new organisation which was officially recognised by the International Olympic Committee last February.
Speaking after the news, Chair of IABA's board of directors, Niall O'Carroll said; 'This is a watershed moment for Irish Boxing, following the resounding 'yes' of member clubs to safeguarding our Olympic future at our EGM in April. Every kid in every boxing club in the Association deserves the Olympic dream – and their clubs have made sure that dream can live on, to LA 2028 and beyond.'
IABA President, Anto Donnelly added; 'This is a red letter day for the Irish Boxing family, and all the more important because our membership of World Boxing was the express will and wish of IABA's clubs. It's vital that we move forward, together. Our joining of World Boxing today represents the unity of Irish boxing, but also the value we place on our Olympic heritage and our Olympic future.'
Irish boxing has a rich history in the Olympics, since first sending nine boxers to Paris in 1924, winning 19 medals over the last 100 years.
Team Ireland's most successful Olympic sport is now safe, and they will look to build on the success of Kellie Harrington, Katie Taylor, Kenneth Egan, and Ireland's first Olympic medallist boxer Michael Carruth.
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