World Boxing, the freshly established international federation with a mission to keep boxing central to the Olympic Movement, has recently announced the appointment of Professor Jack Anderson as its inaugural Ethics Chief.
With a background spanning over a quarter-century in legal practice and sports arbitration, Anderson is well-equipped for the role. He currently serves as the legal counsel in integrity regulation at Racing Victoria, taking a break (2022-2025) from Melbourne Law School where he’s been a Professor and Director of Sports Law Studies since 2017.
In his capacity as World Boxing’s Ethics Chief, Anderson’s responsibilities are multifaceted. He will be instrumental in advising on issues and disputes related to governance and operations; ensuring policies and programs align with World Boxing’s ethical principles; responding to ethical inquiries and grievances; presenting ethical concerns to the Executive Board and Secretary General; and affirming that World Boxing’s operations are conducted in an ethical, transparent, and fair manner.
Anderson will function independently in this role, acting as the initial contact for all matters of ethics. He will decide if a complaint needs to be escalated to an approved third-party organization or can be handled within the existing governance of World Boxing. The detailed terms for his role as Ethics Chief can be accessed HERE.
Nominated by an unbiased three-person panel and approved by World Boxing’s Executive Board, Anderson’s appointment lasts until the end of 2023. At that point, he will have the chance to be reappointed by the new Executive Board, which will be elected at World Boxing’s inaugural Congress in November 2023.
World Boxing’s Secretary General, Simon Toulson, expressed strong faith in Anderson, affirming that he embodies the values of the federation. “Jack’s exceptional record in sports legal practice will enable World Boxing to meet the high standards of governance, transparency, and ethical practice we strive for,” Toulson stated.
Anderson himself is enthusiastic about the appointment, emphasizing his alignment with World Boxing’s values and its commitment to protecting athletes through clear and sound ethical values. His passion for sports law is apparent, with a publication history including books like “The Legality of Boxing” (Routledge, 2007) and “Sports Law: A Concise Introduction” (Edward Elgar, 2023).
His expertise has been sought after in various sporting bodies, including the International Hockey Federation’s Integrity Unit, the International Tennis Federation’s Ethics Commission, and as a subject expert for the Asia Racing Federation.
World Boxing, officially launched in April 2023, harbors ambitions of gaining recognition from the International Olympic Committee (IOC)More details about the federation can be found at www.worldboxing.org.