Mariolis Charilaos and Gennadiy Golovkin are competing for the World Boxing presidency in elections to be held in Rome on November 23, 2025. Charilaos, former head of Greek boxing, aims to leverage his governance reforms and athlete-centered programs. Golovkin, president of Kazakhstan's National Olympic Committee, has mediated for boxing's Olympic inclusion. 17 candidates from 16 countries will compete for positions, including vice president, where Chaiwat Chotima is a candidate.

The International Boxing Association (IBA), led by President Umar Kremlev, seeks to regain control of Olympic boxing after being sidelined by the IOC due to governance and transparency issues. At a Sport + Business Forum in Istanbul, Kremlev appeared alongside Donald Trump Jr., Manny Pacquiao, and Rasheda Ali Walsh to promote a message of sportsmanship and transparency. The IBA aims to improve its image and reclaim its role in events like the Olympic Games, from which it was excluded. The IOC's decision to sever ties with the IBA was due to questionable governance, lack of transparency in refereeing, financial dependence on Gazprom, and unwillingness to implement reforms. World Boxing was established in 2023 to restore confidence in Olympic boxing. The IBA plans to host the next Men’s World Championships in Dubai, with Trump Jr. as host, to demonstrate its influence and attract media attention. The fundamental question remains whether the IBA can rebuild trust and redefine its role without Olympic recognition, especially with its continued ties to Russia.

Following the deaths of two Japanese boxers, Shigetoshi Kotari and Hiromasa Urakawa, the debate over headgear and safety measures in boxing has resurfaced. The Japan Boxing Commission has reduced Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation title fights from 12 to 10 rounds. Headgear, mandatory for women and boxers under 19, was removed for elite adult male amateurs at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games, with research suggesting it doesn't prevent traumatic brain injuries. While headgear prevents cuts and lacerations, it's ineffective against concussions. Other safety measures include stricter medical checks, concussion protocols, and increased authority for ringside doctors.

Algerian Olympic champion boxer Khelif appeals to CAS against World Boxing's mandatory genetic testing rule introduced in May 2025, seeking to overturn the ruling in order to compete in Liverpool without undergoing the test at the Women's World Championships. Khelif, who won gold at Paris 2024, was previously subject to eligibility concerns by the International Boxing Association (IBA) in 2023 but was admitted to the Olympics by the IOC. World Boxing introduced the gender testing after being recognised by the IOC in March 2025. CAS rejected her request to suspend the decision while the case is under review. The IOC president, Kirsty Coventry, has not yet taken a stance and is studying the issue before making an official decision on gender eligibility rules.

Algerian Olympic boxing champion Imane Khelif denies retirement rumors spread by her former manager, affirming her commitment to training for future competitions, including Los Angeles 2028. This denial occurs amidst ongoing controversy over her gender eligibility, following leaked reports and new sex testing policies by World Boxing. Lin Yu-ting, another boxer involved in the eligibility dispute, plans to participate in the World Championships in Liverpool despite the new testing requirements. Khelif, however, is not registered for the international tournament. The situation highlights broader debates on competitive fairness, athlete privacy, and the roles of sports organizations like the IOC and World Boxing.