By Neye Sowunmi

The Road to Paris 2024: Can African Boxing turn the tide? Boxing has been a key part of the Olympic Games since 1904, yet African boxers have only claimed 5% of the total Olympic boxing medals over the past 120 years. As Paris2024 approaches, there’s a pressing need to bridge this gap and enhance the presence of African boxing on the global stage.

In the Boxing Africa Qualifier held in Senegal from September 9 to 15, 2023, only 18 African athletes from eight countries secured Olympic spots. This accounts for just 7% of the 248 Olympic boxing spots distributed across various continents.

The World Qualification Tournament in Busto Arsizio, Italy, from March 3 to 11, 2024, was another tough challenge. Despite the participation of 68 African boxers, none secured a spot for Paris 2024.

At the recent 2nd World Olympic Qualification Tournament, a stark reality emerged: out of 73 African boxers, only two, Brigitte Mbabi from the Democratic Republic of Congo and David DePina from Cape Verde secured spots for the Paris2024 Olympic Games. 

With 51 potential places up for grabs, the outcome highlights a pressing need for a robust and structured boxing development program across Africa.

This scenario begs the question: Why, with such a wealth of talent, do so few African boxers reach the pinnacle of Olympic qualification? 

The answer lies in the absence of systematic training and development programs.

As we at IMG Boxing Academy reflect on this, we recognize a significant opportunity to transform the landscape of African boxing.

Elevating African boxing requires focused efforts and comprehensive strategies to ensure better outcomes in future international competitions.