Katie Taylor, one of the prominent figures in women’s professional boxing, had aspirations of Olympic success long before her stellar pro career. Winning a gold medal at the 2012 London Games propelled her to great heights in the sport.
However, there is growing concern that future generations might not have the same opportunity due to an ongoing dispute between Olympic officials and the International Boxing Association (IBA). The uncertainty surrounding boxing’s inclusion in the 2028 Los Angeles Games is a cause for worry.
Taylor, expressing her thoughts on the matter, emphasized that the potential absence of boxing from the Olympics would have significant ramifications, even for professional boxing as a whole. The Olympics serve as a massive incentive for amateur boxers, and the sport could suffer a considerable setback without this platform.
This situation is particularly concerning for women’s boxing, which only made its Olympic debut in 2012. Athletes like Taylor and Claressa Shields have used their Olympic success as a springboard into the professional ranks, elevating the sport’s profile and attracting wider attention.
Taylor, the undefeated and undisputed lightweight champion, hopes that the issues between Olympic officials and the IBA can be resolved. The Olympics play a vital role in the world of boxing, and their absence would be a significant loss for the sport.
While the 2024 Paris Olympics are not in question, with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) planning to run the qualifying and final tournaments as they did for the Tokyo Games, the long-term outlook for boxing’s Olympic future remains uncertain.
The IOC severed ties with the IBA in 2019 due to concerns about governance and fair judging, as well as suspicions regarding the IBA’s ties to Russia. A subsequent investigation revealed instances of fixed bouts during the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics, leading to further doubts about the integrity of the sport.
In recent weeks, boxing officials in the United States and Britain have announced plans to establish a new federation to rival the IBA, aiming to safeguard boxing’s place in future Olympic programs.
Boxing has been a part of almost every Olympic program since 1904, and the IOC has indicated that it may still be considered for inclusion in the 2028 Games. Roland Garros, the renowned venue for the French Open, is set to host boxing events at the Paris Olympics.
For Ireland, boxing holds significant importance as their most successful Olympic sport, accounting for 18 out of the country’s 35 medals.
The recent success of Irish boxer Kellie Anne Harrington, who became only the second female Irish boxer to win an Olympic medal by claiming gold in the lightweight division at Tokyo, highlights the significance of the Olympics for aspiring athletes. It would be disheartening if the opportunity to pursue that dream were to vanish.
In conclusion, the potential exclusion of boxing from the Olympics raises concerns for both amateur and professional athletes alike. The sport’s rich history and the dreams of aspiring boxers hang in the balance. The hope is that the issues between Olympic officials and the IBA can be resolved, preserving the path for future generations of talented boxers to pursue Olympic glory.
“Get more sports news, cricket news, and football updates, log on to sportsdigest.in. Follow us on Facebook or Twitter and Subscribe to our YouTube Channel.”
