I am honored and thrilled to have the opportunity to share, through this column at Fightnews.com?, many of the day to day happenings and general information about the boxing world and the WBC. The sole intention of this venture is to have a forum to share the role and extensive activities of a boxing governing organization with the criteria and rationale behind the decisions that are often unknown to the public.
I am not a writer, reporter or journalist, so I will do my best effort to have this column written as clear, as short and concise as possible.
Boxing is one of the greatest sports, it has been practiced since the creation, it was a founding sport of the Ancient Olympic games in Greece and modern boxing has been know to be divided into Amateur boxing and Professional boxing. Amateur is the practice of the sport by novice fighters for recreation and also for organized competition with the ultimate goal to participate in the Olympic games and win a medal for one?s country. Professional, on the other hand, is the activity in which boxers fight to earn money with the ultimate goal to become world champions.
There is a tremendous difference between amateur and professional boxing and today this structure is being threatened and many countries are suffering from the irresponsible actions lead by AIBA which is the International Association which has the exclusive rights to organize Olympic competition by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). National boxing associations are folding to the pressure, intimidation and abuse of power that AIBA has stablished as their regime.
AIBA is today acting with evident conflict of interest as they are a governing entity, regulator, manager and promoter; AIBA?s intention is purely commercial and fighters are signing commercial contracts with them and their subsidiaries. Professional boxing is organized with not for profit governing bodies which only regulate and administer rules, medicals and technical matters of the sport, while the business side of professional boxing is handled by independent promotional companies, managers and agents. AIBA is trying to compete with Don King, Top Rank, Golden Boy, Dibella, Matchroom, Sauerland, etc?. AIBA only concern should be to administer the amateur programs in their affiliated countries and prepare competition format for the Olympic games ??
The latest concern has been AIBA?s open offer for any professional fighter to compete in the 2016 Olympic games in Rio. Even when I believe no professional would attempt to participate, it is still a fact that they could. The WBC has been clear about this matter and we are voicing the opinion of thousands as this could lead to serious injuries. Boxing is not a game, it is not about scoring goals or baskets, it is a combat contact sport and to entertain the idea of having a mature professional fighter compete against a novice kid is outrageous. Any WBC champion and top 15 rated in our rankings is forbidden to participate until clear guidelines and safety measures are in place.
It simply is like having the national soccer team play vs. the under 21 national team or have an NFL team play against a college football team. Some fighters like Pacquiao, Wladimir Klishtko and Andre Ward have expressed interest in fighting in the Olympics. I am certain they have been misquoted or mislead, such icons would not dare to fight. David Haye told me a great example ?it?s like me fighting today vs. the David Haye when I was 18 years of age!? That is so dangerous!
There are so many facts and testimonials about this matter that would take unlimited pages to describe how AIBA has hurt boxing in recent years, there is so much hidden information and so much confusion but we are certain justice and safety will prevail.
Boxing is a great sport and it will continue to be so, it is a matter of time before this threat vanishes and our sport will return to the natural Amateur and Professional structure that has worked very well for decades.
