Boxing in Austria: Sport for all genders and generations

Boxing in Austria: Sport for all genders and generations

boxing, one of the oldest martial arts, has a long and multifaceted story. It was not only a discipline for men, but has also developed into a sport over the years that offers women a place in the ring. The rules that apply in the boxing ring bring high standards with them, not only in terms of sporting fairness, but also to the behavior outside the ring.

In the 1920s and 1930s, boxing in Austria, led by the well-known boxer Hans Ziglarski, experienced his first big blossom. Later, in the 1950s, Josef Weidinger, as a heavyweight European champion, moved into the focus of the public and contributed to reviving interest in this sport.

The way to the president of the boxing association

The current president of the Austrian boxing association, Igor Miketić, has a special connection to boxing. As a child, he was enthusiastic about sports and started boxing at the age of twelve. Miketić, who has been at the head of the association since 2022, has already taken significant steps in this role to promote sport and discover new talents.

"In order to become a member of the association, a club must have qualified coaches with a work permit," explains Miketić. This is crucial to ensure that the high standards of boxing are observed. The association has defined clear regulations that affect both membership and acquisition of a license. This includes a thorough health examination for aspiring boxers.

Although Miketić initially had to wait for a return to boxing in his new home, he soon acted actively in the Korneuburg Box Club. "We brought the club to a high level and soon trained an Austrian super heavyweight champion," he reports proudly. Miketić is passionate about promoting boxing, especially in young people and children, and thereby offering them a positive framework instead of lingering on the street in everyday life.

women in boxing

An interesting development in boxing is the increasing influence of women. Around 200 women are currently active in boxing in Austria, some of them are national champions. Miketić emphasizes that women in boxing have the same opportunities and challenges as their male colleagues. The discussion about equal opportunities was also loud during the last Olympic Games when two fighters got in the headlines due to controversial regulations.

"Last year's Olympic Games will be remembered because of the disqualification of the fighters IMANE KHELIF and LIN YU-TING," says Miketić. Despite the challenges in this area, the number of active athletes shows that boxes are accessible to all genders and grows.

A total of around 58 boxing clubs are available in Austria, in which almost 5,000 boxers train. These numbers reflect the growing interest and enthusiasm for sport in the general public. The combination of tradition and modern approaches draws both young people and adults in these fascinating sport.

When it comes to the future development of boxing in Austria, it remains to be seen how the structures change and how new talents can be encouraged. Miketić's goal is to further develop boxing and inspire the next generation of young boxers.