The mission to save Olympic boxing

In an exclusive interview with BoxingScene, Mike McAtee, the executive director of USA Boxing, discussed the future of Olympic boxing and the challenges the organization faces moving forward.

BoxingScene: What is the current status of Olympic boxing for the 2028 Los Angeles Games?

McAtee: That’s a great question. As of now, boxing is still not on the program for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. This stems from the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) decision after the suspension of the International Boxing Association (IBA). However, the IOC has acknowledged that an international federation needs to be engaged to oversee boxing for the Games. USA Boxing, along with about 42 other countries, has joined World Boxing, a new international federation we helped found. World Boxing is working to meet IOC requirements, such as anti-doping regulations, financial transparency, and integrity in the field of play. We’re optimistic that a decision on boxing for LA 2028 will be made by the IOC in early 2025.

(EDITOR NOTE: Since the time of this interview World Boxing announced the addition of two new members, Japan and Algeria, which now brings the updated World Boxing Members to 44). 

BoxingScene: Can you outline the specific requirements for boxing to be included in LA 2028?

McAtee: There are around 35 to 40 requirements that need to be met, as outlined by the Association of Summer Olympic International Federations (ASOIF). These include things like selection procedures for officials, governance standards, and financial transparency. For example, World Boxing will host an international event, the world qualifier in Colorado later this year, to demonstrate our compliance with these requirements. Each of these elements is necessary to ensure the sport is governed with integrity and transparency, and we are working diligently to fulfill all of them.

BoxingScene: How would you describe the state of USA Boxing today, especially coming off the recent Olympics?

McAtee: USA Boxing has grown tremendously since 2016. When I started, we had about 38,000 members and 1,800 boxing gyms. Today, we have over 62,000 members and 2,600 gyms. We held 30,000 competitive bouts last year alone. While we fell short at the Paris Olympic Games, losing several close split decisions, we remain committed to our goal of consistently placing athletes at the top of the podium. Our grassroots efforts continue to grow, and we’re constantly analyzing our performance to improve. We are also heavily invested in developing not only elite athletes but also good citizens through our programs, which serve thousands of boxers across the country.

BoxingScene: USA Boxing has seen success at the grassroots level. How are you working to grow the sport further?

McAtee: Growing the sport at the grassroots level is critical. The larger your base, the greater your chances of developing high-performance athletes. Since 2016, we’ve increased our membership, and now we’re even expanding into adaptive boxing programs and partnering with esports platforms like Virtual Reality Golden Gloves. Boxing may be a niche sport, but it has immense potential for health benefits and building confidence in young people. We’re also working with our alumni and professionals to continue growing the sport. The future is bright for USA Boxing, and we’re focused on bringing new eyes to the sport, both at the grassroots and elite levels.

BoxingScene: How does USA Boxing adapt to the challenges of the modern era, like social media and misinformation?

McAtee: We see these challenges as opportunities. At USA Boxing, we prioritize serving our members, providing accurate and timely information, and educating the public about the benefits and safety of Olympic-style boxing. Our communications team is evolving to better engage with our community through various channels, including podcasts and other digital platforms. Boxing is one of the safest sports in the U.S., despite public perception. We’re committed to growing the sport while maintaining transparency and compliance with all regulations. Our goal is to not only perform well on the international stage but also develop great citizens through our programs.

BoxingScene: With so many changes in sports and youth participation, how does USA Boxing plan to stay relevant?

McAtee: The sports landscape has changed drastically, and young people are participating less in sports overall. That’s why we’re evolving with the times, looking for ways to engage youth in boxing through innovative programs like esports and adaptive boxing. We’ve also strengthened our partnerships with organizations like the Golden Gloves and the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee. We know that growth won’t happen overnight, but we’re dedicated to showcasing boxing’s value as a sport and a community-builder. As we look ahead to the LA 2028 Games and beyond, we remain focused on our mission of developing both elite athletes and good citizens.