Former Pound for Pound King Gennadiy Golovkin has been tasked with leading the fight to save Olympic Boxing at the 2028 Games in Los Angeles.
The President of the National Olympic Committee of Kazakhstan and the silver medalist at the 2004 Games in Athens has been appointed Chair of a new Olympic Commission by World Boxing, the new entity fighting to save boxing at the Olympic level.
Appointing ‘GGG’ – a two-time middleweight world champion- is seen as the first step in ensuring the sport remains part of Olympic plans for not only LA 2028 but also for the foreseeable future.
Golovkin aims to establish an ongoing working relationship with the International Olympic Committee [IOC] to prove that World Boxing can drive boxing forward. In the coming weeks, the Kazakh puncher will be joined by other members to build a team for the ‘global boxing community.’
World Boxing has secured the backing of 44 members in a bid to become the IOC-recognized amateur boxing body. Four-time WBN Fighter of the Year, Golovkin looks forward to helping World Boxing reach its ultimate goal.
“For me personally, as well as for the sports world, it is important to preserve boxing as an Olympic sport, and this will be my top priority,” said Golovkin. “I also intend to work closely with the IOC on issues of boxing’s commitment to the Olympic values of honesty, fairness, and transparency.
“I am confident that my experience as a professional athlete will help build systemic work within World Boxing, and through joint efforts, we will be able to give boxing a new impetus to its development, but there is still much to be done.”
The President of World Boxing, Boris van der Vorst, added: “Gennadiy is one of the most globally significant boxers of the last decade, and to have him supporting our cause and using his experience, expertise, and profile to work on behalf of World Boxing is a significant boost for our organization.
“As someone who had a hugely successful career in both Olympic-style and professional boxing, Gennadiy has a deep knowledge of the sport and completely understands why continuing to be part of the Olympic Movement is so vital to the ongoing success of boxing at every level, from the grassroots to the professional ranks.
“Gennadiy will be a huge asset to our organization. I look forward to working closely with him to deliver our mission of ensuring boxing remains at the heart of the Olympic Movement.”
The Kazakhstan Boxing Federation issued a statement about Golovkin’s appointment.
“Kazakhstan Boxing Federation has made an important decision due to lengthy discussions and analysis. Kazakhstan submitted an official application to join the World Boxing organization. This decision is primarily related to the future of domestic boxers at the Olympics.”
The president of the Kazakhstan Boxing Federation, Shahmurat Mutalip, added: “Now, the issue of boxing remaining in the Olympic program is being discussed at the NOC level. We are ready to work together with all countries to preserve boxing in the Olympic Games program. We believe that this decision will allow boxing to develop further.
“During the meeting with Gennadiy Golovkin, Chairman of the World Boxing Olympic Commission and president of the National Olympic Committee, we discussed ways to develop domestic boxing.”
Golovkin undoubtedly has the correct credentials. He was a middleweight force and one of the top names in the sport until his retirement following a spectacular trilogy with Canelo Alvarez. After unfathomably losing the first fight and drawing the second via controversial decisions, Canelo won the third in what is seen as a three-fight saga that at least deserved to be even.
‘GGG’ walked away with 42 wins, two losses, and that solitary draw with Canelo.
Read all articles and exclusive interviews by Phil Jay. Learn more about the author, experienced boxing writer, and World Boxing News Editor since 2010. Follow on Twitter @PhilJWBN.
