Russian and Belarusian boxers cleared to compete as neutral athletes

Boxers from Russia and Belarus will now be allowed to compete in international events under neutral status, following a new ruling by World Boxing.

The decision aligns with the approach taken by the International Olympic Committee since 2022, meaning fighters from both countries can participate but without national flags, anthems, or official representation. Athletes and support staff will also undergo a vetting process to confirm they have no links to the war in Ukraine or military affiliations.

This marks another step in the ongoing restructuring of Olympic boxing. World Boxing, formed in 2023, has gradually taken over governance responsibilities after the International Boxing Association was removed from the Olympic movement due to long-standing governance and integrity issues. The IOC had already taken control of recent Olympic tournaments, including Tokyo and Paris, before formally recognizing World Boxing in 2025.

The organization is now led by Gennady Golovkin, the former unified middleweight champion and Olympic silver medalist, who has overseen its expansion as more national federations join the new structure - including those from Russia and Belarus.

Image Credit: WBC