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World Boxing (WB) President Boris van der Vorst has expressed concerns about the safety of participants in influencer boxing events, such as the high-profile bout between YouTube star Jake Paul and former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson. While acknowledging the appeal of such events to new audiences, Van Der Vorst emphasized the need for stricter safety measures to protect fighters.
Safety Concerns in Influencer Boxing
Van Der Vorst highlighted the risks associated with influencer boxing matches, particularly when proper precautions are not taken. “Such fights are nice for newer audiences, but the safety of the boxers is a big question,” he told The Indian Express. He pointed to his own experience organizing a smaller influencer boxing event in the Netherlands, where thicker gloves and headgear were used to ensure safety.
The comments come in the wake of the Jake Paul-Mike Tyson fight, which took place in November 2024 after being postponed due to Tyson’s health issues. The 58-year-old boxing legend had suffered an ulcer ailment, raising further questions about the safety protocols in such events.
Balancing Appeal and Safety
While Van Der Vorst admitted that even his daughters were captivated by the Paul-Tyson fight, he stressed the importance of prioritizing boxers’ well-being. “The event I sanctioned in the Netherlands had thicker gloves with head guards in order to guarantee a safe outcome,” he said.
World Boxing, which recently received provisional recognition from the International Olympic Committee (IOC), is now tasked with addressing issues like sporting integrity, governance, and safety in the sport. The organization is in the process of drafting its competition rules, with a focus on ensuring the safety and fairness of all participants.
Addressing Gender and Eligibility Concerns
Van Der Vorst also addressed the controversy surrounding boxers like Imane Khelif of Algeria and Lin Yu-Ting of Chinese Taipei, who competed in women’s categories at the 2024 Paris Olympics amid speculation about their gender eligibility. He backed the IOC’s Paris Boxing Unit rules, which allowed both athletes to participate, but emphasized that boxers’ safety remains “paramount.”
“We have recognized for some time now that gender clarity is an extremely complex issue. There are significant welfare concerns, and so we have established a working group of our medical committee to develop a policy based on sex, age, and weight,” he explained. The organization is collaborating with experts, including the Independent Council of Women’s Sport, to create guidelines for athlete eligibility.
Reforming Boxing’s Scoring System
One of the longstanding issues in Olympic boxing has been the lack of transparency in the scoring system. Van Der Vorst acknowledged this problem and outlined plans to restore trust in the sport. “Lack of sporting integrity was one of the key concerns that the IOC had with the previous organization. We want the best boxer to win, not the most influential one,” he said.
World Boxing is exploring the use of modern technology, including AI, to make the scoring system more transparent and fair. The organization also plans to train technical officials and referees to ensure consistency and accuracy in judging.
World Boxing’s Road Ahead
Established in 2023, World Boxing emerged as an alternative to the International Boxing Association (IBA), which was banned by the IOC due to issues of poor governance, corruption, and administrative inefficiency. The IOC’s decision to exclude boxing from the LA 2028 Olympics further underscored the need for a reformed governing body.
Under Van Der Vorst’s leadership, World Boxing has gained support from national federations in India, the Netherlands, the USA, Italy, Brazil, and Britain. The organization currently has 78 members across five continents and has formed four continental confederations.
“We have provisional recognition, but it is a long road ahead of us. We have to deliver a better environment for the sport,” Van Der Vorst said. World Boxing is also working towards meeting IOC requirements, including compliance with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) and the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).
Upcoming Events and Future Plans
World Boxing is set to host major events this year, including the Boxing World Cup and the World Championships. These competitions will serve as a platform to showcase the organization’s commitment to transparency, fairness, and safety in the sport.
As influencer boxing continues to attract new audiences, World Boxing aims to strike a balance between innovation and tradition, ensuring that the sport remains exciting while safeguarding the well-being of its participants.
