BOXING AUSTRALIA WITHDRAWS FROM 2017 AMG BOXING CHAMPIONSHIPS

The Board of Boxing Australia has made the decision that it recommend to the 2017 Australian Masters Games (AMG) organisers that the Boxing Championships scheduled for 25 -28 October should be cancelled due to lack of entries and that, accordingly, Boxing Australia is withdrawing from the tournament.

Boxing Australia in June initially recommended cancellation of the tournament to the AMG but in response to representations from the organisers it postponed its decision to withdraw – however, in the interests of the entrants Boxing Australia believes such a decision can no longer be delayed.

As of 4 September there are only 62 entries into the combined men’s and women’s multiple age groups/weight/competition experience categories.

There were 5 entries in one category, 4 entries in another, 3 entries in 2 categories, and 2 entries in 6 categories. Other entered categories had only one entrant each.

Although it is estimated that by combining some age groups and weight categories that possibly up to 23 bouts could be conducted on the first day of competition, only 4 bouts would be scheduled to be conducted on the second day and one bout on the third day. The reality is, however, that the entries only automatically schedule 11 bouts on the first day, 5 on the second day and 1 on the third day and any other bouts would entail possible matches of entrants from different age groups or weight categories.

Given that 60 participants would be travelling from outside Tasmania to its north-west coast it is believed the competition that could be offered to nearly all entrants does not justify their time and expense in travelling to the proposed tournament.

Accordingly, it is with regret that Boxing Australia has come to the view that it is in the best interest of the clear majority of the 62 entrants that this year’s tournament not proceed and recommends that announcement of its cancellation should be given now rather than later when further expense would probably be caused to intending competitors and their supporters.

Proposing cancellation of the tournament to the Australian Masters Games organisers is not an easy decision but is been made with the intention of minimising expense, inconvenience and disappointment to entrants to the tournament quite a number of whom would not have an opponent to compete against.