IBA requests President Trump’s intervention to restore boxing to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics

The International Boxing Association (IBA) has urgently appealed to US President Donald Trump to address the Boxing Olympics omission and help restore the sport to the 2028 Los Angeles Games. After its suspension by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in 2019, the IBA has faced challenges in rebuilding its credibility and resolving governance issues.

The suspension arose from deep concerns over the IBA’s financial mismanagement, questionable ethics, and controversial refereeing practices. Despite years of attempting reforms, the IBA’s appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) was dismissed in 2024, permanently stripping the organisation of its role in running Olympic boxing events.

Currently, boxing is not included in the programme for the LA 2028 Olympics. Although the IOC organised the sport at Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024, it has declared it will not do so for future Games unless a new governing body takes the reins. A breakaway federation, World Boxing, has already gained 60 members and is pushing for IOC recognition, leaving the Russian-led IBA fighting an uphill battle.

In an open letter to President Trump, who was sworn in earlier this week, the IBA implored the new administration to intervene. “They [the IOC] have announced in the last 12 months that boxing will not be part of the Olympic programme for LA 2028. It would be very much appreciated if your team could look into this situation,” the letter stated.

The IBA framed its appeal as a chance to celebrate boxing in the United States, urging Trump to ensure the sport’s inclusion in the LA Games. “We sincerely hope that boxing will be part of the celebrations in the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics and will indeed become a great showcase of genuine love for the sport from the American nation and fans worldwide.”

Trump’s connection to boxing isn’t just political. In the early 1990s, he briefly dabbled in promoting the sport, making him a fitting figure for the IBA to target. As the Games approach, his influence could play a role in shaping the Olympic landscape.

The IBA also addressed the ongoing controversy around gender eligibility in boxing, an issue that overshadowed the 2024 Paris Olympics. Two gold medallists, Imane Khelif of Algeria and Lin Yu-ting of Taiwan, competed despite being disqualified by the IBA the previous year for failing to meet eligibility criteria. The IBA praised Trump’s stance on fairness in competition, further aligning their appeal with his administration’s values.

While the IBA hopes Trump can influence the IOC’s decision, critics argue that its internal failings are the real issue. The IOC has made it clear that only a credible and well-governed federation will be entrusted with overseeing Olympic boxing in the future.

Meanwhile, World Boxing continues to gain momentum, and its growing membership base positions it as a strong contender to take over the sport’s Olympic governance. However, the final decision on boxing’s inclusion in LA 2028 remains pending, leaving athletes, fans, and organisations in limbo.

As the IBA fights to reclaim its relevance, Trump’s involvement could determine whether boxing stays in the Olympic ring or is counted out for good.