Armenia Officially Joins World Boxing

It has happened: the Boxing Federation of Armenia has become a full member of the international organization World Boxing, which is recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The decision was made at a meeting of the World Boxing Executive Committee, where Armenia’s application was approved.

Starting in 2026, Armenian boxers will be able to take part in all competitions included in the official World Boxing calendar. This event is of strategic importance for Armenian boxing, as it opens the path to participation in Olympic qualification tournaments and, consequently, the fight for quota places for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

In 2025, World Boxing had already held four stages of the World Cup, as well as a full World Championship for men and women, which took place in Liverpool. Armenia did not participate in these tournaments, as it was at that time a member of another international federation — the IBA. Within the framework of cooperation with the IBA, Armenian boxers competed at the World Championship in Dubai, while European Championships for youth and juniors were held in Armenia.

At present, World Boxing includes 152 national federations, and Armenia has become the organization’s 153rd member country.

Armenia’s accession to World Boxing had been expected throughout the year, and it is symbolic that this long-awaited and joyful news was announced on December 31, on the eve of the New Year, becoming an important gift for the entire Armenian sporting community and marking a new stage in the development of national boxing.

The next World Boxing tournament will take place in March 2026 — the U19 World Cup in Thailand.

In April, the first stage of the World Cup for senior men and women will be held in Brazil.