WBC ALLIANCE

Alliance group forms link with WBC Amateur organisation

THE Amateur Boxing Alliance has forged a link with the WBC’S new amateur organisation.

The Alliance is a group of former England Boxing clubs which broke away from the national governing body. Boxers who aren’t registered with an England Boxing club are not permitted to compete with England Boxing clubs or enter England Boxing championships. They’re not eligible to box for England, join the GB squad or box in international tournaments licensed by world governing body AIBA, like the Olympics.

The WBC, the body which sanctions professional world title fights, have formed their own amateur organisation in opposition to AIBA, protesting AIBA’S own moves to introduce professional style events and allow certain professionals to enter Olympic qualification tournaments. The WBC Amateur events have taken place overseas previously.

The Alliance’s Keith Herschell said, “They [the WBC Amateurs] have invited London ABA to send a 10 man team to compete in Mexico in late October. A Mexican team will return for a two match visit at the end of November. Until now, the Alliance boxers have been unable to gain international experience, now the promises of close cooperation with the WBC Amateurs have been agreed, that will change.

“Additionally, a team match against Spain is taking place at the end of September.”

The renowned Dale Youth amateur boxing club has affiliated with England Boxing after a stint with the Alliance but historic clubs Fitzroy Lodge and Finchley remain part of the Amateur Boxing Alliance.