World Boxing elects inaugural president, forges first commercial partnership with Sting

World Boxing has named Boris van der Vorst from the Netherlands as its first president following a unanimous vote during its inaugural congress in Frankfurt, Germany.

Van der Vorst secured 63 percent of the vote against USA Boxing’s Elise Seignolle, marking a historic moment for the newly established organisation. Before the congress, World Boxing announced a four-year exclusive commercial partnership with Sting, a renowned boxing kit and equipment manufacturer.

Van der Vorst, who previously attempted a presidency run for the International Boxing Association (IBA), expressed gratitude for the support and outlined the priority of keeping boxing central to the Olympic Movement.

“I am humbled and honoured to have been elected President of World Boxing and I would like to thank everyone that has supported me,” van der Vorst said.

“Making sure boxing remains at the heart of the Olympic Movement is our number one priority and I look forward to working together with the newly elected board and all of our member National Federations to help us deliver this.”

Simon Toulson, the general secretary of World Boxing, highlighted the significance of the inaugural congress.

“The inaugural congress is a very significant milestone in the development of World Boxing and to have so many members attend in person, is a sign of people’s commitment to the organisation and everything we are trying to achieve for the sport,” Toulson said.

“Hosting open, fair, and transparent elections is a central element of World Boxing’s commitment to operating to the highest standards of governance and today’s events today have shown that the organisation is delivering on this commitment.”

Amidst a long-standing dispute between the IBA and the International Olympic Committee (IOC), boxing is currently not included in the sports program for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. However, World Boxing is actively working to secure its place in future Olympic Games.

The newly formed executive board and three elected vice presidents further strengthen World Boxing’s organisational structure. The commercial partnership with Sting represents the body’s first venture into the business realm, positioning Sting as the official competition equipment supplier for World Boxing. The four-year deal includes provisions for gloves, protective clothing, hand wraps, and training equipment used in tournaments like the World Boxing Cup series and the under-19 and elite World Boxing Championships.

Despite Sting’s existing global partnership with the IBA, the collaboration with World Boxing underscores the brand’s commitment to supporting and enhancing the sport.

Amir Anis, Sting International’s managing director, expressed excitement about the sponsorship deal.

“It is great for Sting to be World Boxing’s first commercial partner and we are very excited to agree to this four-year sponsorship deal that will ensure boxers competing at World Boxing events will have access to the safest and best equipment,” Anis said.

In conjunction with the commercial partnership, World Boxing unveiled its competition calendar for 2024, introducing two new competitions: the World Boxing Cup and the World Boxing Challenge.

The calendar includes events in England and the US, with an event-hosting bidding process initiated for the under-19 World Boxing Championships in November 2024 and the first Elite World Boxing Championships in November 2025.

“The creation of new competition formats shows that we are delivering a structure that works for boxers and will benefit the sport,” Toulson said of the development.

“As World Boxing grows as an organisation, we will add to the calendar with the creation of more competitions at all levels.”

World Boxing continues to expand its reach, having recently added national federations in the Philippines, Scotland, Wales, Suriname and the US Virgin Islands. With plans to seek formal recognition from the IOC, the governing body is determined to secure boxing’s place in future Olympic Games and enhance the sport’s global standing.