Golovkin won the Olympic silver medal in the middleweight division at the 2004 Games in Athens.
He also held world and Asian titles as an amateur before stepping up to the professional ranks, in which he held a middleweight world title and is widely regarded as one of the fiercest competitors of his generation.
Although not officially retired, he has not fought since losing the third fight of his trilogy with Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez in September 2022.
The only blemishes on his 45-fight record are two defeats by Mexico’s Alvarez following a controversial draw in their first encounter that many believed Golovkin had won.
He told the World Boxing congress his presidency would be built around four key points – putting athletes first, integrity, innovation, and financial stability and development.
The IOC suspended the IBA in 2019 over governance, financial, refereeing and ethical concerns.
“This is about unity,” said Golovkin, as he expanded on his blueprint for the future of boxing as an Olympic sport.
“Today we take a big step forward. We must be a federation that athletes can believe in and one the Olympic family can trust.”
Van der Vorst was elected in 2023 but chose to step aside and did not seek a second term.