HOW many crossroads must you approach before finally finding the right road?
Amateur boxing, at all levels, is hardly averse to travelling divergent paths – and, as the latest split at the very top of the sport deepens, its international future stands at another critical juncture.
For months there have been whispers about a breakaway from the International Boxing Association (IBA), a firming up of the notional ‘Common Cause Alliance’ Ireland became part of even before announcing its intention to boycott IBA tournaments as a protest against the sport’s world governing body.
And so, last week, a new international boxing federation – World Boxing – was launched. Rather than a power play akin to the multitude of different governing bodies on the professional side of the sport, World Boxing’s aim is to secure the sport’s future at the Olympic Games.
It has no member countries at the present, but has set up an interim executive board comprising of representatives from the national federations of the United States, Britain, the Netherlands, the Philippines, Sweden, Germany and New Zealand.
There were questions over where Irish Athletic Boxing Association (IABA) stood as it was not represented in World Boxing’s launch, but a link-up is widely anticipated, especially in the wake of a subsequent IABA statement released backing the principles of the new breakaway group.
This is just the latest development in a long-running saga, one which cannot afford to rumble on without resolution indefinitely. There are only so many crossroads boxing can come upon before it eventually runs out of road.
Concerns sparked largely by a series of judging controversies at Rio 2016, including Michael Conlan’s shocking defeat to Vladimir Nikitin, led the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to assume control of the boxing qualification and tournament at Tokyo 2020.
Given ongoing issues surrounding the governance of the IBA, the IOC also intends to run the boxing tournament at next summer’s Olympic Games in Paris – but this is not an arrangement they wish to maintain long-term.
As a result, boxing is not currently included in the programme for Los Angeles 2028. The shockwaves from that decision still reverberate, the consequence that it suddenly shocked into action some of those who believed no such thing could materialise.
But how will this situation manifest? A bitter battle awaits, with the IBA immediately going on the offensive about the new “rogue organisation” following World Boxing’s formation.
Furthermore, they threatened to sue those involved in setting up the new federation, even though World Boxing’s interim general secretary Simon Toulson suggested national federations could affiliate to both organisations.
The IBA certainly has the financial clout to make life difficult and, having introduced significant prize-money for World Championships in recent years, could well up the stakes further to keep the top boxers from the top countries on their side of the fence – even if it comes at the ultimate cost to the sport.
With a modest initial budget in the region of €900,000, raised through donations and sponsorship, World Boxing is not in a position to run before it can walk. But those plotting for the future will also know they need some more of the sport’s powerhouse nations to come onboard to make it work.
As a result there are no plans to organise its own World Championships this year, but the intention is to host a World junior championship next year, with the aim to be in a position to host its first elite competition in 2025.
In its mission statement World Boxing state they will seek recognition from the IOC and plan to work “constructively and collaboratively” to develop a pathway that will preserve boxing’s ongoing place on the Olympic programme.
Despite all the controversies and the mud-slinging, this is what should be at the heart of the matter for all parties who genuinely have the sport’s best interests at heart. The IOC has grown frustrated with the continuing noise, and who can blame them?
Now it is over to boxing to save itself – recent history suggests that is a perilous position to be in.
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McCOMB FOLLOWS IN FRAMPTON'S FOOTSTEPS WITH IRISH CROWN
THERE was cause for celebration at Midland BC last weekend when Gary McComb became the club’s first Irish champion in 14 years – following in some famous footsteps along the way.
McComb edged out Monkstown, Dublin’s Nathan Clarke on a 3-2 split to claim the Boy 3 44.5kg crown, ending a run that dates back to Carl Frampton’s brilliant 10:5 victory over familiar foe David Oliver Joyce in the 2009 bantamweight final – with ‘The Jackal’ quick to send on his congratulations.
There were a host of other Ulster winners at the weekend’s championships too, with the likelihood of more to come when the Boy/Girl 4 finals take place at the National Stadium on Friday.
At the Boy/Girl 1 Championship finals on Friday night, there were first national titles for Castleblayney’s Maisie Flanaghan (35kg), Jessica Flanagan of Pegasus (47kg) and Illies GG’s Roisin Hegarty (51kg).
Townland’s Eoghan McGarry was impressive on the way to the 76kg Boy 2 crown on Saturday, getting the better of Raphoe’s John Gerard Ward on a 3-2 split, with Gilford’s James Feeney coming up trumps at 40kg with victory over Adam Delaney.
Sean McNamee (St John’s) ensured the 41.5kg was going home to Derry when he got the better of Galway’s Bernie McDonagh (Galway), while East Down’s Conor Lowry proved too strong for John O’Driscoll in the 44.5kg decider.
Up at 65 kilos, Banbridge’s Cole Rooney beat David Mongans (St Munchin’s) on a 4-1 split.
There was mixed fortunes for Immaculata’s emerging crop at the Irish Boy/Girl 3 Championships, with Jude Reilly beating Neilstown’s Dean O’Toole in the 31kg final while Carly Voyle took the 37kg crown via walkover.
However, Lee Largey Snodden lost out to Crumlin’s talented Kristian Jubanji at 38.5kg, while Francis Regan fell to Olympic’s Jason Donoghue in the 50kg final.
Banbridge dynamo Paige Nickles kept up her winning ways by scoring a unanimous decision win over Sophie Lawlor (Wexford CBS) at light-fly, with classy Cassie Henderson (Phoenix) having too much for South East’s Ellie Sinnot.
At 35kg, Raphoe’s Taylor Parke claimed a split decision win over Calvin Stokes, Darragh McGuinness of St Monica’s was a unanimous winner over Southside’s Paddy Casey at 41.5kg, and Twintowns’ Molly Lafferty edged to a 4-1 split over Baldoyle’s Layla Kelly at 47kg.
Winning titles via walkover were Castleblayney’s Kayden McKenna (33kg), Holy Family’s Charles Matthews (85kg) and Shane McDonagh of (Duke’s) at 124kg.
Eyeing up titles in the Boy/Girl 4 finals on Friday are Martin Stokes (Oakleaf), Robert Quinn (St Paul’s), Callum Crilly (St Bronagh’s), Ritchie Gentle (Phoenix) and Gleann’s towering Jordie Cooke.
