Amateur boxers must decide, says top official

Soon amateur boxers will have to make a decision on whether to fight under the Fiji Amateur Boxing Association (FABA) or the new body that is affiliated un-der the International Boxing Association (IBA).

This is the view of Boxing Commission of Fiji (BCF) chairman Adi Narayan.

FABA is affiliated to World Boxing (WB) which is under the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The IOC has severed its ties with IBA due to financial discrepancies and lack of transparency.

Speaking to SUNsports, Narayan said BCF is only mandated to man-age professional boxing in the country.

“My comments about amateur boxing is only my personnel opinion,” he stressed.

Narayan said the amateur boxing landscape currently involves FABA and soon the IBA is going to move in.

“One (FABA) is recognized by IOC while the other is not.”

Narayan said amateur boxers have to decide what they want to achieve in their careers. He said those aiming to compete at the Pacific Games, Oceania, Common-wealth Games and Olympic Games need to stay with the IOC recognized pathway, which is through FABA and World Boxing.”

However, the veteran administrator said, he has noted Olympic qualification has become difficult and is very limited to a small number of elite boxers.

At the IOC level, every amateur boxer does not qualify. Maybe the top five will get a chance.”

Narayan said FABA has a pool of around 50 amateur boxers, including athletes from the Police and Army clubs.

He said many of these amateur boxers are talented, but not all would have a realistic chance of qualifying for the Olympics.

“All of them will not get a chance to fight at the Olympics,” Narayan said.

He said boxers need to honestly assess their ability and prospects.

Narayan outlined the long qualification process also include winning regional and international competitions. “You’ve got to fight at Oceania level, Pacific Games and other regional contests. It takes time before you even know if you can qualify.”

Narayan said some boxers might realize the Olympic path is not for them. In these cases, he said, switching to a different body like IBA could offer them financial opportunities.

“If an amateur boxer says, ‘I’ve done enough,’ and I’m not making headway, then you have the option to switch. That’s where they can earn some money to feed their family.”

He said this decision should not be seen as persuasion n from officials.

Meanwhile, Narayan said for now BCF is focused on professional boxing matters.

He said preparations are under-way for the March 28 promotion in Suva.

He said a meeting with the Fiji Sports Council has been confirmed to discuss the cost of the Vodafone Arena.

“The charges are very high at the moment,” he said.

Narayan said they are planning to hold three programmes in Suva this year.

“There could be more programmes if discussion on the reduction of the cost of venue is successful,” he added.