David’s Remarkable Journey in Boxing: A Legacy of Dedication and Leadership

David’s passion for boxing began in his teenage years, where he boxed for several years, before an injury prematurely ended his boxing career, but his interest in the sport never waned. After years of being inactive in any formal capacity, his involvement in the boxing world took a significant turn in the early 1990s.

In 1994, alongside boxing coach O.M. Perera, David co-founded a boxing club in the Melbourne suburb of Dandenong, an area known for its ethnic diversity and socio-economic challenges. The club quickly became a success, drawing in large numbers of young people from the local community, eager to train and compete. The club's popularity not only provided a positive outlet for local youth but also helped to elevate the sport in the area.

David’s contributions to the sport expanded in 1998 when he joined Boxing Victoria Inc (BVI) as a referee and judge. Starting at local tournaments, his talent and dedication did not go unnoticed, and he rapidly progressed to officiate at the national level in Australia. His skills and expertise were soon recognised internationally, as he was invited to officiate at numerous Australian Championships, selection events, and international competitions.

In the early 2000s, David was invited to join the committee of BVI, where he quickly rose through the ranks to become Vice President and later Secretary. His leadership skills led to a position on the Board of Boxing Australia Limited (BAL) in 2011, where he served as a director until 2015. During his tenure, David chaired the BAL Rules Committee and was instrumental in overseeing two complete rewrites of the Australian Technical and Competition Regulations. He also served as a member of the Referee and Judges Committee and as the Technical Delegate at National Championships and selection events, ensuring the smooth operation of boxing tournaments across the country. In addition, he contributed to BAL’s disciplinary proceedings as a member of the Discipline Tribunal.

In 2015, David stepped down from the BAL Board, but his work with BVI resumed in 2016 when he rejoined as Secretary. Although he had to step down in 2017 due to illness, his resilience saw him return in 2018 to continue serving as Secretary until 2024. During this period, he remained deeply committed to boxing, even as his health challenges briefly interrupted his service.

From 2011 to 2018, David was also a member of the AIBA Rules Committee, the governing body for amateur boxing worldwide. His influence extended even further when he took on the role of Honorary Executive Director (Secretary General) of the Oceania Boxing Confederation between 2012 and 2023. His expertise as an International Technical Official (ITO) and later as an AIBA Technical Delegate in 2014 allowed him to supervise and oversee numerous international events, both in AIBA Open Boxing and World Series Boxing competitions.

In addition to his international roles, David was also named Deputy Technical Delegate at key Olympic qualifying events across Europe, Africa, and Asia in 2023 and 2024. His expertise as an International Technical Official (ITO) and his leadership in these high-stakes events earned him global recognition.

David’s remarkable journey reached new heights in the 2020s when he played critical roles in multiple international boxing events, culminating in his selection as Deputy Technical Delegate for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. This prestigious appointment is the crowning achievement in a career that spans decades, placing David among the elite few who have been trusted to oversee the pinnacle of global sports competition—the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

David’s extensive international experience includes key roles at many prestigious events:

• 2023 Women’s World Championships (Delhi, India): Chairperson of Draw Commission
• 2023 Men’s World Championships (Tashkent, Uzbekistan): Technical Delegate
• 2023 European Olympic Qualifying Event (Krakow, Poland): Deputy Technical Delegate
• 2023 African Olympic Qualifying Event (Dakar, Senegal): Deputy Technical Delegate
• 2024 1st World Qualifier (Busto Arsizio, Italy): Deputy Technical Delegate
• 2024 2nd World Qualifier (Bangkok, Thailand): Deputy Technical Delegate
• 2024 Paris Olympic Games (Paris, France): Deputy Technical Delegate
• 2024 U19 World Boxing Championships (Pueblo, USA): Technical Delegate 

In addition to his contributions overseas, David has also played a crucial role in high-profile events in Australia. He served as a National Technical Official at the 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games and worked as the Australian Team Manager at several major international tournaments, including the 2009 AIBA World Championships (Milan, Italy), 2010 Commonwealth Games (Delhi), and 2011 AIBA World Championships (Baku, Azerbaijan). His management skills were again on display when he acted as Operations Manager for the Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast from 2017 to 2018.

Even after stepping down from his official roles in BVI in 2024, David continues to stay involved in the sport. He frequently attends boxing events, where he officiates and coaches’ referees and judges, imparting his vast knowledge and experience to the next generation.

David’s ongoing commitment to the sport of boxing is recognised by many, including the Boxing Australia Board, who express their gratitude for his invaluable service. His contributions have left a lasting impact on boxing in Australia and the international boxing community. His legacy is one of dedication, leadership, and a lifelong passion for the sport, and he remains an influential figure in the world of boxing.

David’s journey is an inspiring example of how passion, hard work, and resilience can lead to a lifetime of success and service in the sport he loves.