GGG Takes Charge: Gennady Golovkin Elected As New President Of World Boxing

Gennady Golovkin, one of boxing’s most feared middleweights of the past two decades, has stepped into an entirely new ring.

On Sunday, the former unified world champion was elected president of World Boxing,

the organisation that will run the sport at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

The vote was a formality: Golovkin was the only candidate remaining and was elected by acclamation at the federation’s annual congress in Rome.

“It is a privilege to be elected as the new president of World Boxing. But this is just the beginning,” Golovkin said. “Starting today, athletes will be at the heart of every decision we make. On the road to LA28, we will restore trust in Olympic boxing to secure our place in Brisbane beyond. Now it’s time to move forward as one united boxing family.”

A superstar steps into governance

Golovkin, now 43, enjoyed a glittering career that included two unified middleweight title reigns and a 2004 Olympic silver medal for Kazakhstan. Known for his granite chin and ferocious power, he now inherits a sport navigating a political crossroads.

He replaces Dutch administrator Boris van der Vorst, who was elected in 2023 but did not seek re-election.

A fractured boxing landscape

Golovkin’s arrival comes less than a month after fellow legendary fighter Manny Pacquiao joined the rival International Boxing Association (IBA) as a vice president — highlighting the deep divide now running through amateur boxing.

The split stems from years of governance and financial scandals at the IBA under president Umar Kremlev. After repeated warnings, the International Olympic Committee formally cut ties with the federation ahead of the Tokyo 2021 Games, citing persistent ethical concerns.

The IOC directly ran boxing competitions in both Tokyo and Paris while deliberating the sport’s Olympic future. In response, World Boxing formed in 2023 as an alternative federation capable of meeting Olympic standards. The IOC has since recognised it as the body responsible for organising the event in Los Angeles.

(with AFP inputs)