Irish boxers look set to compete at the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles after IABA member clubs voted emphatically in favour of joining World Boxing. Ireland's most successful Olympic sport is now on course to return to the Olympic Federation of Ireland stable.
The IABA had been out in the cold as it remained aligned to IBA, the controversial world body that is no longer recognised by the International Olympic Committee.
However in an EGM held on Saturday at the National Stadium, IABA affiliates voted for vital constitutional reform that required 75% in favour to pass, reports the Irish Mirror.
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As it happened, 116 out of 117 clubs voted in favour of removal of reference to IBA/AIBA from the Irish Athletic Boxing Association’s constitution. That enabled a second vote, this time on dual membership with IBA and World Boxing, and it was also passed 117:116.
"Irish Boxing has spoken today, and has chosen to be able to plot its own course," said the chairperson of the IABA's board of directors, Niall O'Carroll.
"The removal of reference to IBA/AIBA in our constitution isn’t about any one international federation, it's about clubs giving themselves the ability to choose. They’ve exercised that right for the first time today, voting to also affiliate with World Boxing.
"When clubs last voted on this in August 2023, there was concern about the international competition opportunities for underage boxers – that’s since been firmly addressed, with a full World Boxing calendar at confederation and global levels, across all age groups."
O'Carroll added: “The Olympics is the dream of every kid who walks into any boxing club – but getting there needs high level international competition.
"For the last few years, our clubs have been constrained in the federations that they can work with at a grassroots level on a club-to-club basis.
"Many of those federations were long-standing partners. Those constraints have now been lifted, and our clubs, as well as our national teams, can travel to any federation in the world to train and compete. It’s a huge day for clubs, and for our federation."
IABA President, Anto Donnelly, commented: “I’ve been a coach for 32 years, with national and international champions. This is my proudest moment in boxing. We can move forward to a new era, where there are as many opportunities for boxers as possible. That’s the key."
