Scotland, Wales, Suriname, and the US Virgin Islands have also been confirmed as members of World Boxing, bringing the total to 27.

This follows claims last Friday (October 20) that Nigeria was their first African member.

NBF officials are at odds, however, with its President Kenneth Minimah confirming the national governing body has "applied and joined" World Boxing, contradicting the statement from vice-president Azania Omo-Agege, who claimed otherwise.

The Philippines being announced as the second Asian country to join them raises more questions as the International Boxing Association (IBA) insisted Mongolia, claimed as the first member of World Boxing from the continent, has not left.

IBA said the Mongolian Boxing Federation vehemently denied "the claim that they intend to join World Boxing and will resign their IBA membership" back in September.

"To be heading into our inaugural Congress with a minimum of 27 members of such high calibre is a major achievement for World Boxing and a sign of the desire for change that exists across the sport," said World Boxing interim secretary general Simon Toulson.

"Our members represent every continent where Olympic-style boxing takes place and includes many nations with a proud and distinguished history in the sport. 

"Most importantly they are committed to creating a better future for boxing, based on the principles of integrity, honesty and excellence and ensuring the sport remains at the heart of the Olympic Movement.

"It is clear from recent events that World Boxing is the only International Federation that can deliver this. 

"The consistent growth in our membership and continued interest we are receiving from National Federations is an indication of the growing support for our work and the widespread recognition that World Boxing is the only international federation that can enable boxing to keep its place on the Olympic programme at Los Angeles and beyond."

Boxing Scotland announced the Board "has unanimously agreed to apply for membership" at World Boxing but maintained that it had "no immediate plans to withdraw their affiliation" to the IBA.

World Boxing does not prevent its members from being a member of IBA or taking part in their competitions.

However, the Umar Kremlev-led IBA has previously warned that athletes and officials who take part in World Boxing events and competitions will be subject to disciplinary action from the Boxing Independent Integrity Unit.

insidethegames has approached IBA for a comment.

Amidst all this, the IBA today announced that SwissBoxing and Norfolk Island Boxing Association were granted provisional membership until the next Ordinary Congress set for December 9.

The announcement regarding SwissBoxing is particularly significant as they resigned from the IBA in June before reversing its decision the following month.

The reversal led to the resignation of Andreas Anderegg as SwissBoxing President after 17 years in the position, with Amir Orfia - who was IBA project manager - taking over.

SwissBoxing members said the decision to leave IBA had been taken without proper consultation.

"We warmly welcome new member Norfolk Island Boxing Association, as well as SwissBoxing, which return to IBA following the wise decision of its General Assembly," IBA President Kremlev said.

"For us, it is a sign of trust and the right direction we chose as an organization. With the strong, independent, and stable IBA, together we can achieve more."

World Boxing, launched in April, is due to have inaugural Congress in a month's time on November 24 and 25, and a list of candidates "will be published imminently".

According to World Boxing statutes, all full members have voting rights, which means associate members GB Boxing, will not play a part in the vote.

The ugly spat between IBA, expelled by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), and World Boxing worsened this week with the former accusing the latter of using its trademark.

IBA has claimed that "World Boxing" and "World Boxing Tour" are its registered properties and said it "expects a public apology" for the trademark infringement, giving them a deadline of October 26 to remove them.

Boxing's future at Los Angeles 2028 and beyond hangs in the balance with IBA set to hear their appeal to being kicked out by the IOC at the Court of Arbitration for Sport on November 16.