Boxing on the ropes as IOC weighs Olympic future

Boxing's Olympic future came under the spotlight Friday as top officials decide whether to punish the sport's governing body, which is on the ropes over finances, judging and its controversial leader.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has made clear that boxing's future at the Tokyo 2020 Games could be facing a knockout blow amid serious concerns over governance at the International Boxing Association (AIBA).

Boxing already incurred the IOC's wrath at the last Games in Rio, when all 36 officials and referees were suspended amid allegations of bout fixing.

And relations have not been improved by the election earlier this month of Uzbek businessman Gafur Rakhimov, who has been linked to organised crime by the US Treasury Department. Rakhimov strenuously denies the allegations.

President Thomas Bach confirmed Thursday the IOC's Executive Board would examine a report by AIBA on how they had cleaned up their act.

But Bach said earlier this year that a previous report in April "lacks execution and substance in some areas." Bach has also stressed that he will not allow competitors to suffer from the "bad behaviour of some officials," suggesting the IOC is not ready to completely throw in the towel on the boxing competition at Tokyo 2020.

"Irrespective of the decision taken... we will make the necessary efforts to ensure that athletes have the possibility to pursue their Olympic journey," said Bach.

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