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The IOC organised boxing at the Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Olympics after suspending the IBA in 2019 over governance, financial, refereeing and ethical concerns. The election in Rome on 23 November will see current World Boxing president Boris van der Vorst step aside, having confirmed he will not seek a second term. "Our mission for 2026 is clear: to achieve full IOC recognition and guarantee our place in Los Angeles 2028 and Brisbane 2032," Golovkin added. "But beyond recognition lies a greater purpose - to rebuild our reputation as one united boxing family, guided by respect, transparency and unity." Golovkin's challenger for the position is Greece's Mariolis Charilaos, who led the Hellenic Boxing Federation from 2021 to 2025 and oversaw key governance reforms. "Boxing was born in Greece and was among the first Olympic sports, Charilaos said. "From ancient Olympia to the modern Games, it has never ceased to teach the values of strength, endurance and fair play. These values form the core of my vision for World Boxing."
