Boxing Scene: What is the current status of Olympic boxing ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics?

McAtee: That’s a great question. As of now, boxing is still not on the program for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. That’s due to a decision by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) following the suspension of the International Boxing Association (IBA). However, the IOC felt it was necessary to hire an international federation to oversee boxing at the Games. USA Boxing, along with about 42 other countries, has joined World Boxing, a fresh international federation that we helped found. World Boxing is working to meet IOC requirements, such as anti-doping rules, financial transparency and integrity of the game. We are sanguine that a decision on boxing for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics will be made by the IOC in early 2025.

(EDITOR’S NOTE: Since this interview was conducted, World Boxing has announced the addition of two fresh members – Japan and Algeria – bringing World Boxing’s membership to 44.)

Boxing Scene: Could you outline the specific requirements that boxing must meet to be included in LA 2028?

McAtee: There are around 35 to 40 requirements that must be met, according to the Association of Summer Olympic International Federations (ASOIF) guidelines. These include issues such as procedures for selecting officials, governance standards and financial transparency. For example, World Boxing will hold an international event, the world qualifiers in Colorado later this year, to demonstrate our compliance with these requirements. Each of these elements is indispensable to ensuring that the sport is managed with integrity and transparency, and we work difficult to meet all of them.

Boxing Scene: How would you describe the current state of boxing in the U.S., especially after 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. Last year, we had 30,000 fights. Although we fell compact at the Paris Olympics, losing a couple of split decisions, we remain committed to our goal of consistently placing athletes on the top of the podium. Our grassroots efforts continue to grow, and we are constantly analyzing our results to improve. We also invest in developing not only elite athletes, but also good citizens through our programs that serve thousands of boxers across the country.

Boxing Scene: USA Boxing has found success on a local level. How are you working to continue to grow the sport?

McAtee: Grassroots development is key. The larger the base, the greater the opportunity to develop high-achieving athletes. Since 2016, we have grown our membership and are now expanding into adaptive boxing programs and esports platforms such as Virtual Reality Golden Gloves. Boxing may be a niche sport, but it has huge potential for health benefits and building confidence in adolescent people. We also work with our alumni and professionals to continue to grow the sport. The future is dazzling for USA Boxing and we are focused on bringing fresh eyes to the sport, both at the grassroots and elite levels.

Boxing Scene: How does USA Boxing deal with modern-day challenges like social media and disinformation?

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

Boxing Scene: How does USA Boxing plan to stay relevant when there have been so many changes to the sport and youth participation?

McAtee: The sports landscape has changed dramatically, with adolescent people generally participating less in sports. As such, we are evolving with the times, looking for ways to engage youth in boxing through inventive programs like esports and adaptive boxing. We have 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 are committed to showcasing the value of boxing as a sport and community builder. As we look ahead to the 2028 Los Angeles Games and beyond, we remain focused on our mission of developing both elite athletes and good citizens.

ANTHONY Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn believes the team could land a rematch with Daniel Dubois despite last night’s one-sided match at Wembley Stadium.

Finally, a perfect miniature right hook put Joshua to bed and stunned the 96,000-strong crowd after five rounds of thrilling brutality. AJ was knocked down several times and appeared to be on his feet before the final blow.

Still, Eddie Hearn somehow found plenty of optimism, pointing to Joshua’s heart and guts in defeat. Joshua even seemed on the verge of a surprising breakthrough seconds before he went to bed.

While Dubois’ power and punching power have never been in question, his own resilience has been questioned in the past following tough losses to Joe Joyce and Oleksandr Usyk. No one can question Daniel’s courage or his status as a legitimate world champion after adding the biggest name of his career to the list.

“All credit goes to Daniel Dubois, he deserves it, it was a great performance,” said Eddie Hearn after the highlight reel.

Hearn added that he expects his fighter to exercise his rematch clause after a period of rest.

“[He’s] “I’m still gaining confidence,” Hearn added, which is a bit odd given Joshua’s long career and experience in large fights.

Joshua’s talk often revolves around learning curves, gaining knowledge, and coming back stronger, wrapped in false philosophical statements. For many years, AJ was seen as an overthinker.

Daniel Dubois didn’t give him much time to think last night, and there was nothing to suggest his return would be much different.