Boxing legend and promoter Oscar De La Hoya has weighed in on the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) decision to exclude boxing from the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, suggesting it may be connected to recent controversy surrounding Algerian boxer Imane Khelif.
In a social media segment called “Clapback Thursdays” a while ago, De La Hoya addressed the situation, referencing a leaked medical report about Khelif that has sent shockwaves through the boxing community.
“I questioned the IOC about their decision to drop boxing from the 2028 Olympic Games in LA, and I asked if this choice had anything to do with the insanity that overshadowed this past summer games,” De La Hoya stated.
The former Olympic gold medalist expressed concerns about athlete safety and questioned the IOC’s decision-making process, particularly their choice to retain breakdancing while removing boxing from the Olympic program.
De La Hoya also took the opportunity to discuss potential future plans for his promotion company, Golden Boy Promotions, suggesting a possible collaboration with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Sports. He proposed several matchups, including Virgil Ortiz vs. Boots, Munguia vs. Pacheco, and Oscar Duarte vs. Devin Haney.
The removal of boxing from the Olympics marks a significant shift in the sport’s history, as it has been a cornerstone of the Olympic Games since 1904, producing numerous legendary champions including De La Hoya himself, who captured gold at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics.
The IOC has not officially commented on whether the recent controversy influenced their decision to exclude boxing from the 2028 program.
The IOC has granted provisional recognition to World Boxing, marking a crucial step in securing boxing’s place in the Olympic movement. Facing potential removal, the sport has regained credibility through governance reforms, ethical policies, and increased global representation, with 78 national federations now part of World Boxing. The IOC highlighted the federation’s compliance with integrity measures, anti-doping regulations, and financial transparency. This decision reinforces World Boxing’s legitimacy over the sidelined IBA, signaling a new era for the sport. Leaders like Boris van der Vorst and Gennadiy Golovkin acknowledge the progress but emphasize continued efforts to solidify boxing’s Olympic future.
The International Boxing Association (IBA) has reached out to US President Donald Trump for help after boxing was excluded from the initial lineup for the 2028 Olympics.
The letter, written by IBA President Umar Kremlev and CEO Chris Roberts addresses the association’s concerns over the current leadership of the International Olympic Committee and its governance. IOC president Thomas Bach recently resigned.
In the letter, the IBA expresses gratitude for President Trump’s stance on the inadmissibility of ineligible athletes in women’s boxing, a position he took during the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. The IBA also commends the recent legislation passed by the US Congress, which prohibits the participation of transgender athletes in women’s sports.
As per insidersport:
“This law aligns perfectly with our re-invigorated policy work, aimed at promoting gender equality and safeguarding the health and well-being of female athletes.
“We believe that this approach not only protects the integrity of women’s sports but also fosters an environment where all athletes can thrive and compete both safely and fairly.
“The recent cases of heated debates over the inclusion of transgender athletes in female categories, however, highlight the urgent need for clearer international regulations and guidelines.
“In particular, we look towards the IOC, which we believe will benefit from renewed leadership to take place in March this year and a willingness to adopt regulations that ensure equal opportunity for all athletes while respecting the historically understood categories of gender in sports.”
