Boxing
Former World Middleweight Champion Gennadiy Golovkin Aims To Save Amateur Boxing As New World Boxing Olympic Commission Chairman
Former long-reigning world middleweight champion and one of the best fighters of the 21st century, Gennadiy Golovkin, has been appointed as the new Chairman of the World Boxing Olympic Commission.
‘GGG’ aims to ensure boxing is restored to the Olympic programme in time to be included in the 2028 LA Olympic Games.
Gennadiy Golovkin Aims To Save Amateur Boxing Before 2028 LA Olympic Games
Gennadiy Golovkin is best known for being one of the best middleweight fighters of all time. As a retired fighter, Golovkin’s role in boxing is now as President of the National Olympic Committee of Kazakhstan.
The 2004 Olympic silver medallist, who also went on to have a stellar pro career consisting of 42 wins against just two defeats and a draw, will take on a crucial role aimed at ensuring boxing remains a part of the Olympic Games.
‘GGG’ has now been appointed as the new Chairman of the World Boxing Olympic Commission. World Boxing, a breakaway organisation founded in April 2023, have appointed the retired Kazakh boxing great as chair of their Olympic Commission.
Gennady Golovkin has now been appointed as Chair of a new Olympic Commission established by World Boxing (the new breakaway governing body for amateur boxing) with the aim of ensuring boxing is restored to the Olympics programme in time to be part of LA 2028.
— Michael Benson (@MichaelBensonn) September 26, 2024
Although the IOC (Independent Olympic Committee) have stated that they want boxing to feature at the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles in four years’ time, the sport faces a massive race against time.
The IOC have set a deadline for next year, with amateur boxing in need of a new international federation to arrange the next competition in 2028. If it is to be a part of the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, World Boxing, with the help of Gennadiy Golovkin, need to get a move on.
Hence the appointment of ‘GGG’. World Boxing and its President, Boris van der Borst, believe they can take on the challenge and insist they have the backing of the IOC.
Preserving boxing as an Olympic sport will be Gennadiy Golovkin’s ‘top priority’
Having Gennadiy Golovkin as the new chair of the World Boxing Olympic Commission certainly adds strength to their case, with President van der Vorst really looking forward to working with the former professional boxing icon:
“Gennadiy is one of the most globally significant boxers of the last decade and to have him supporting our cause and using his experience, expertise and profile to work on behalf of World Boxing is a significant boost for our organisation.
“I look forward to working closely with him in delivering our mission to ensure boxing remains at the heart of of the Olympic Movement.”
In a statement, Golovkin himself said that it will be his “top priority” to preserve boxing’s status as an Olympic sport.
“For me personally, as well as for all the sports world, it is important to preserve boxing as an Olympic sport, and this will be my top priority. I also intend to work closely with the IOC on issues of boxing’s commitment to the Olympic values of honesty, fairness and transparency.
“I am confident that my experience as a professional athlete will help build systemic work within World Boxing, and through joint efforts we will be able to give boxing a new impetus to its development but there is still much to be done.”
Time will tell whether or not boxing will be an Olympic sport come 2028, but having Gennadiy Golovkin in a senior role certainly strengthens its case as a sport.
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