Leading Sports Law Expert, Professor Jack Anderson, Appointed as World Boxing’s First Ethics Chief
In an exciting development for the world of boxing, Professor Jack Anderson, a highly respected sports law expert, has been appointed as the first ethics chief of the newly formed World Boxing organization. Professor Anderson, originally from Doon, County Limerick, but now based in Melbourne, Australia, brings a wealth of experience in legal practice, sports arbitration, and integrity regulations to his new role.
Coincidentally, this appointment comes just as the Irish Athletic Boxing Association (IABA) prepares to vote on a resolution that would enable them to leave the International Boxing Association (IBA) and join forces with World Boxing. This Saturday, delegates at an extraordinary general meeting of the IABA will cast their votes on this potentially game-changing decision.
Professor Anderson’s extensive legal career includes lecturing in law at Queen’s University, Belfast, where he also served as secretary of the GAA Disputes Resolution Authority. He has published numerous articles and books on sports law, including The Legality of Boxing and the recently released Sports Law: A Concise Introduction. His expertise in the field has even led to his involvement in various sports organizations’ integrity units, such as the International Hockey Federation’s (FIH) Integrity Unit and the International Tennis Federation’s (ITF) Ethics Commission.
Expressing his enthusiasm for his new position, Professor Anderson highlighted World Boxing’s strong commitment to transparency, integrity, and governance. He believes that a sport that upholds clear ethical values and actively combats any violations thereof is best positioned to protect its athletes and maintain public trust in its image and integrity. By working alongside World Boxing, Professor Anderson hopes to contribute to the organization’s efforts to promote these values, attract new audiences, and secure the future of the sport.
Launched in April 2023, World Boxing was established with the objective of safeguarding boxing’s place within the Olympic movement. The organization aims to obtain recognition from the International Olympic Committee (IOC), which recently expelled the International Boxing Association. Already, several countries, including the United States, England, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada, have either joined or expressed their intention to link up with World Boxing.
Meanwhile, the Board of Directors of the IABA is eager for Irish boxing to align itself with World Boxing before the organization’s inaugural convention in November. However, there are differing views among clubs regarding the potential implications of severing ties with the IBA. Ultimately, any constitutional change within the IABA will require the support of 75 percent of the delegates who will vote on Saturday.
As the voting date approaches, all eyes are on the outcome of the IABA’s decision. Should they vote in favor of joining World Boxing, it could spark a new chapter in the history of Irish boxing. With Professor Jack Anderson at the helm as the organization’s ethics chief, World Boxing is well-positioned to uphold its commitment to transparency, integrity, and strong governance, ensuring the sport’s continued growth and success within the global boxing community.
