Algeria and Japan Join World Boxing Amidst Gender Dispute

Algeria and Japan have joined World Boxing, raising its membership to 44 national federations. The new body positions itself as an alternative to the International Boxing Association, which lost IOC recognition. Algeria's Imane Khelif won gold amid a gender eligibility controversy, highlighting ongoing governance challenges in boxing.

Algeria and Japan have officially joined World Boxing, increasing the organization's membership to 44 national federations. This move comes amidst ongoing controversies and governance challenges in the sport.

Algerian athlete Imane Khelif, who won gold at the Paris Olympics amid a gender eligibility dispute, exemplifies the complex issues World Boxing aims to address. Khelif and Taiwan's Lin Yu-ting were previously disqualified from the 2023 World Championships by the International Boxing Association (IBA) but competed in Paris after being cleared by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

The IOC had stripped the IBA of its recognition over financial and governance issues, spurring the formation of World Boxing as a potential new global governing body. The IOC has urged national federations to support World Boxing or risk the sport's exclusion from the 2028 Los Angeles Games.

(With inputs from agencies.)