World Boxing, a newly established organization focused on governing amateur boxing with transparency and athlete interests, has included national federations from Russia and Belarus, countries considered aggressors due to their involvement in the conflict with Ukraine. This decision means that the boxing federations of these countries will need to be approved by the World Boxing congress to become full members. Immediate implications involve the conditions under which athletes from these nations may compete, likely under the 'neutral' athlete status, which raises concerns about the integrity of competition and athlete support for the ongoing war.

The organization has committed to conducting thorough checks to ensure that boxers from Russia and Belarus who wish to participate in competitions do not have affiliations with military or police-backed clubs and do not support the invasion of Ukraine. World Boxing was founded in 2023 with an objective to maintain amateur boxing in the Olympic Games while ensuring governance that is recognized internationally. Currently, it unites 168 national federations including Latvia, with its membership also awaiting confirmation from the congress.

This inclusion of Russia and Belarus into World Boxing reflects ongoing tensions in international sports dealings with countries involved in military aggression. Such decisions are complex as they often receive mixed feedback, balancing interests of inclusivity in sports against the backdrop of global geopolitical issues. The potential for conflict between athlete participation and national allegations may create divisions within the sport community itself as further scrutiny and regulations are established.