Kovács István: Rebuilding Hungarian Boxing to Olympic Glory

Kovács István, recently marked his second anniversary leading the Hungarian Boxing Association, reflecting on a tenure he once deemed improbable.

Despite his initial reluctance to step into the role, the Olympic and world champion now speaks with clear ambition about his plans to restore the national sport to its former standing.

The transition for the former professional boxer began in earnest when he returned to the domestic scene to address what he described as a total moral and economic collapse within the federation. His decision to lead was met with skepticism by his long-time mentor, Imre Szántó.

When asked for his advice on the matter, the veteran coach was characteristically blunt: “Hagyd a francba őket beledögleni a saját mocsarukba!”—or, “Leave them to rot in their own swamp.”

Despite this stark warning from his former coach, Kovács chose to move forward. He later said that while Szántó remained deeply frustrated with the state of Hungarian boxing, he eventually extended his congratulations once the new leadership was established.

Restructuring the Hungarian Boxing Federation

Upon taking office, Kovács initiated what he termed emergency measures to stabilize the association. One of his first actions was to restore the organization’s historical name, the Hungarian Boxing Association (MÖSZ). The push for professional renewal extended beyond national borders; under his guidance, the federation exited the International Boxing Association (IBA) and joined World Boxing to maintain the sport’s presence in the Olympic program.

The rebuilding process involved clearing significant debts and addressing a lack of financial accountability. “Mindent, de tényleg mindent újra kellett építeni,” Kovács explained, noting that the work had to continue alongside the immediate demands of the sport. Within a month of his election, the federation organized a national adult championship to ensure the continuity of competition.

Professional support for the athletes has also seen a shift. The federation has hired Italian expert Emanuele Renzini as the new national team captain to expand its technical staff. The updated training regimen now includes dedicated medical, dietary, and strength training support, fostering closer collaboration with local club coaches.

Olympic Ambitions for Los Angeles 2028

Kovács is setting his sights on breaking a 26-year drought in Olympic medal success. He highlighted several athletes who he believes have the potential to reach the podium in Los Angeles.

Among them, he pointed to Luca Hámori, who narrowly missed a medal in Paris, and Pilip Akilov, a Donetsk-born fighter who secured a world championship bronze in Liverpool—the first for a Hungarian man in 16 years. Vladiszlava Kuhta, the current European champion, is also considered a key prospect for future international success.

To maintain momentum, the federation is launching the inaugural Papp-kupa on November 14, a high-level continental team event held at the Riz Levente Sport- and Event Center. The tournament will feature elite fighters from Europe and Pan-America, including competitors from Cuba, Mexico, and the United States.

Organizing Regional Team League

Looking ahead, the leadership team is organizing a regional team league involving the Visegrád Four countries. Hungary is also a strong candidate to host the 2027 World Boxing Organization (WBO) congress. Kovács also emphasized the significance of securing the rights to host the final qualifying tournament for the Los Angeles Olympic Games, viewing it as a major success for Hungarian sport diplomacy.

When asked about the challenge of developing the next generation of star boxers, Kovács acknowledged that the sport’s popularity is largely driven by individual personalities. “Egy bokszolóval könnyű azonosulni, egy bunyóst nem nehéz imádni,” he said, emphasizing the need for new champions to ensure the sport remains a fixture in the national consciousness.

While he has sacrificed much of his own leisure time and personal income to lead the federation, he maintains that his focus remains entirely on the long-term health of the sport that shaped his career.