IT appears unlikely that a vote on Irish boxing’s international future will go ahead in mid-August as planned, with clubs across the country still weighing up what way to turn.
Although a specific date wasn’t given, the Irish Athletic Boxing Association (IABA) originally announced its intention to hold an Extraordinary General Meeting this month, including a vote on whether to remain part of the International Boxing Association (IBA) or join rival body World Boxing.
That EGM could also include an option to vote on a change to the IABA constitution, which is currently set out under IBA statutes.
World Boxing, formed earlier this year in a bid to secure the sport’s Olympic future, is to hold its first congress in October and while senior figures within the IABA are keen to see Ireland represented, clubs will have the final say.
Following a series of information road-shows last week, concerns were aired and questions asked as members get to grips with a potentially huge crossroads moment for the sport.
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At the Ulster meeting on Saturday morning, it became apparent that although notice of an EGM were expected to be sent out this week, members may need more time to make a decision.
“People can’t make their mind up here today, it would be totally unfair,” said Paddy Barnes sr, president of the County Antrim Board.
“I think the EGM would have to be put back down the road to give people time to process all this, and it is crucial stuff is sent out in black and white.
“There are individuals here from clubs, they need to take it back to the other members of their clubs and have that discussion.”
New IABA board of directors chair Niall O’Carroll, who led the meeting at Girdwood Community Hub, insisted “It isn’t in my interest to rush a vote into people who don’t want to vote” – but warned that it could be a missed opportunity.
“My feeling is I would like us to be at the congress because I would like us to be involved in the decision-making,” he said.
“I think it makes sense for us to have two questions to vote on, one being the constitution and the other do we want to join World Boxing. The key thing for me, regardless of whether we stay, whether we go or whether we do both, is that we change our constitution so we have a choice of where we go in the future. That’s a basic right, that’s basic democracy.
“If we say no to joining World Boxing, that doesn’t mean we never join World Boxing, it just means we don’t join World Boxing right now…
“I feel like it would be a mistake not to be at the congress.”
Several in the room clearly remain unsure whether the IABA should stick or twist, with some expressing the concern that only one side of the story was being presented in a bid to steer members towards joining World Boxing.
Ulster Council president Kevin Duffy admitted he was undecided, but feels the timing – and the opportunity to influence World Boxing from the beginning – merits further consideration.
“I’m excited about the opportunity to give boxing the choice,” he said.
“It’s about the change in that constitution that allows members to have the choice in what they do next. There is going to be changes within boxing worldwide - what those changes look like, we’re probably a little bit unsure at the minute.
“But I think an important point for people to consider is the timing of it. Do we want to be involved from the outside? Or do we to be in the middle of it, trying to shape what the future holds, try and be involved in the decision-making and have people in positions where they can make the best decisions for everybody in boxing - decisions everybody in Ireland would benefit from.”
