GB Boxing is not a national governing body so would not have voting rights but representatives of the organisation would be able to hold office within World Boxing.

The organisation was set up following the Beijing 2008 Summer Olympics to manage the United Kingdom’s World Class Programme for boxing.

GB Boxing is not a member of the International Boxing Association (IBA), although the home nations governing bodies of England Boxing, Welsh Boxing and Boxing Scotland are all members of the governing body.

Chair of GB Boxing’s board of directors Jason Glover said: "It is vitally important to the future of the sport in the UK and across the globe that boxing remains part of the Olympic programme.

"The loss of Olympic status would have devastating consequences for boxers and everyone connected with the sport from the elite level to the grassroots and we are committed to supporting World Boxing in its efforts to keep boxing at the heart of the Olympic Movement.

"GB Boxing has played a significant role in helping to establish World Boxing and the decision to apply for associate membership is a sign of our long-term commitment to the new organisation and a desire on our behalf to play a part in its future development.

"We are committed to helping World Boxing deliver a better future for the sport which puts boxers’ interests at the centre of decision-making and operates with rigorous governance practices designed to deliver fairness and sporting integrity."

World Boxing was launched in April and claims that keeping "boxing at the heart of the Olympic Movement" is one of its five key priorities.

USA Boxing and SwissBoxing have both quit the IBA to join World Boxing, while the Dutch Boxing Federation and Boxing New Zealand have both indicated they are likely to follow suit.

The national governing body for boxing in England, England Boxing has said it supports the creation of World Boxing as an alternative to the IBA, but has not joined the new organisation.

Welsh Boxing, the national governing body for boxing in Wales, has said it will take a "watching brief" over developments, while Boxing Scotland, the national governing body for boxing in Scotland, has not publicly commented on its position.

The International Olympic Committee is due to hold a hastily-arranged Executive Board meeting tomorrow to discuss boxing’s future, against a backdrop of concerns that the sport could lose its position on the Olympic programme at LA 2028.

A spokesperson for GB Boxing told insidethegames that "all relevant stakeholders were consulted as part of the decision."