Paddy Barnes has written to IOC chief Thomas Bach and to boxing chiefs around the world in a bid to rescue the sport's Olympic status at LA 2028.
As things stand, the International Olympic Committee is pulling the plug on boxing's participation at the Games after Paris 2024, a move that would be a massive blow to Ireland's hopes of winning medals.
Barnes, a two-time Olympic bronze medal winner, is keen for Boxing to state its case after the IOC made the decision not to include the sport in its programme for Los Angeles and puts the emphasis on the positive social inclusion that Boxing nurtures in areas otherwise deprived of sporting outlets.
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The decision to exclude Boxing was prompted by a number of International Boxing Association governance issues highlighted by the IOC.
The IBA (former AIBA) was not allowed to organise the Boxing tournament at the Tokyo Olympics last year and the same scenario applies to Paris 2024.
The Irish Athletic Boxing Association is part of the Common Cause Alliance that is unhappy with how the IBA is running the sport and it could unfold that the alliance will breakaway to ensure Olympic boxing continues.
Such a move would come at the price of missing out on competing in the World championships.
“At the minute we’re not just advocating for Irish boxing, we are advocating for world boxing," declared Barnes.
"I have written a letter and we are going to send it collectively to Thomas Bach, I think today, in the hope that they change their mind.
"You will see the letter soon. It gives details and reasons why it should stay.
"Obviously there are issues in governance with IBA but it has been run before by the IOC. I don’t see why it can’t be now.
"The letter details why it should be run and the different issues if boxing is excluded from LA, how it can impact not just boxing but social problems in working class areas and a lot more stuff.
"I really do believe that boxing will be a part of the programme in LA.”
Barnes, 35, is now a IABA club development officer and the letter has been dispatched to federations worldwide, and to major boxing figures such as Katie Taylor and Clarissa Shields - gold medal winning Olympic boxers before turning pro in a bid to garner support.
Katie Taylor in action in London 2012
Barnes was speaking ahead of the Olympic Federation of Ireland's Athletes' Commission meeting in Abbotstown today, reports the Irish Mirror.
“I am part of the Athletes' Commission," he said. "This is my sport. I fought.
"I thought this is something I should really do. I sat down with another guy who helped me with the letter. It’s out there now and hopefully it helps.”
The Commission has outlined its strategic plan for 2023-25, a period which encompasses the next Olympics.
Athlete welfare is high on the agenda, with the Commission keen on athletes to register key issues they have to deal with - such as anti-doping and welfare benefits - and that can be used to work with the OFI, Sport Ireland, and Government.
Further, Rio silver medallist Annalise Murphy is helping to drive a new mentor programme that will pair experienced and former Olympians with current or hopeful contenders.
"We are going to advocate what we have termed Olympic athlete career recognition," said Shane O'Connor, the chair of the Athletes' Commission..
"We essentially want to see if Olympic athletes can be given a unique level of recognition similar to how a professional athlete might be seen.
“What we are really talking about here is trying to create an environment where athletes can benefit from some of the social supports that exist for people who would be within the social welfare system and maybe paying PRSI.
"Athletes are potentially not doing that because their level of funding is so low that they don’t fall into the bracket or don’t have the means are literally surviving from month to month.
"And, for example, a female athlete who has retired has absolutely no access to maternity benefits if they wanted to start a family.
“We have set a bold vision and it is that Irish Olympic athletes are the best represented athletes in the world, ensuring that they have a wholly positive Olympic experience and the best opportunity to perform.
"It’s a big ask but have a mission statement to support that."
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