(OCT 26) AIBA, the
international association for amateur boxing, has lifted its
suspension of USA Boxing and has confirmed that all boxing
activity is free to proceed. Following direct communication
between AIBA and USA Boxing, AIBA agreed to lift the suspension
against athletes and members immediately.
“We are extremely grateful to AIBA for their willingness to lift
the suspension and allow our athletes to participate in all
boxing events so quickly,” said Dr. Charles Butler, President,
USA Boxing. “The athletes across the country were the biggest
victims of this suspension and we wanted to ensure that the
mistakes of the organization’s past leadership have as little
impact on them as possible. Dr. Wu agreed with us, lifted the
suspension, and expressed strong support to protect our athletes
and the membership of USA Boxing.”
“Our local boxing gyms and grassroots events are critical to USA
Boxing’s athletes and coaches in not only building future
champions but also creating stronger younger men and women,”
said Anthony Bartkowski, Executive Director, USA Boxing. “It is
imperative that all the local clubs have the ability to train
our youth from the beginnings of their careers through the
highest of international events. This decision will ensure
continued access of our boxers to all competitions throughout
the world.”
The suspension, which was a direct result of the negative and
controversial public statements made by former USA Boxing
President Hal Adonis, was initially scheduled to run through
January 19, 2013. After receiving the ruling of AIBA’s
Disciplinary Commission on Wednesday, Dr. Butler contacted AIBA
President Dr. C.K. Wu and Executive Director Ho Kim to appeal on
behalf of the athletes.
The AIBA Disciplinary Commission’s ruling stated that Adonis’
public comments were extremely harmful to women’s boxing and
amateur boxing throughout the world and necessitated a severe
sanction. The commission found that by failing to remove Adonis
from the USA Boxing Board when the opportunity was presented,
the organization endorsed his statements. Therefore, the panel
imposed the initial three-month suspension on USA Boxing, which
has now been lifted.
As of October 19, 2012, Adonis is suspended from all national
and international levels of USA Boxing and is therefore no
longer a member of the USA Boxing Board of Directors, nor can he
have involvement in any USA Boxing activities during his
two-year suspension.
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