Global body opens probe of Canadian program

The International Boxing Association is launching an investigation into Boxing Canada after athletes’ claims of widespread abuse.

The IBA’s directors approved the move “in order to safeguard members of the boxing community in line with the IBA anti-harassment and abuse policy.”

A disciplinary procedure also has been opened against Boxing Canada.

Boxing Canada’s high-performance director, Daniel Trépanier, resigned on Sunday, four days after dozens of current and former Canadian boxers — including threetime world champion Mary Spencer and 11-time national champion Mandy Bujold — signed an open letter to Sport Canada about a “toxic culture of fear and silence.”

They asked for a third-party investigation and Trépanier’s resignation.

The athletes painted a picture of a hostile environment of homophobic, misogynistic and sexist comments. They said there were safety concerns — including being forced to spar despite having concussion symptoms — and said there’s a lack of impartiality around things like the dispersal of funds, and rampant favouritism that clouds decisions around team selection.