The last time Los Angeles hosted the Olympics, the United States took home nine gold medals in boxing. The country is hoping for a repeat of that performance in 2028, when boxing will once again be a sport at the games.
The International Olympic Committee announced Thursday that boxing will be on the schedule for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. Boris van der Vorst, President of World Boxing, celebrated the news, calling it “a great day for boxers, boxing and everyone connected with our sport, at every level, across the world,” in a statement.
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Boxing has been a part of the Summer games since 1904. It has appeared as an Olympic sport at the Summer games every year since then with the exception of 1912, when the Summer Olympics were hosted in Stockholm, Sweden. Boxing was banned in the country at the time.
The United States has performed well in the sport, finishing with the most medals seven times since 1904. The last time the U.S. led the pack came in 1988, when the Summer Olympics were hosted in Seoul, Korea.
Since then, Cuba has emerged as a major threat in the sport. Cuba took home the most boxing medals in four consecutive Summer games — 1992, 1996, 2000 and 2004. The country also led all others in boxing medals at the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.
Uzbekistan took home that honor during the 2024 Paris Olympics when the country won five gold medals. The United States took home one boxing medal in Paris, with Omari Jones securing a bronze in the welterweight event.
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