By Gary Anderson

November 22 - English boxers such as Jozeph Joyce right could potentially miss out on funding if the new changes to ABAE structure are not implemented according to AIBA and Sport England © AFP/Getty Images Clubs across England have been urged to make their voices heard ahead of an extraordinary general meeting (EGM) in Sheffield on Sunday (November 24) as the Amateur Boxing Association of England (ABAE) makes crucial decisions, including the appointment of a new Board of Directors.

The ABAE is calling on all of its members to contact their regional associations and "express their views" ahead of two votes on whether to accept a new Board and changes to the Articles of Association of the organisation, claiming some of the regional associations will vote as their members tell them.

The EGM was called as a result of months of infighting and fractious debate surrounding the composition of the ABAE Board.

The new Board was appointed by outgoing chairman Richard Caborn in September but the move was blocked by regional associations leading to his resignation.

The former Sports Minister had been attempting to reorganise and "modernise" the structure of the ABAE and to bring it in line with regulations set down by the International Boxing Association (AIBA).

Boxing's world governing body provisionally suspended ABAE in July for what it called "serious breaches" of its regulations regarding the involvement of Sport England in helping to draw up a new constitution and it's blocking of World Series of Boxing (WSB) fighters from competing at national events.

Ironically however, part of Caborn's modernisation plan was motivated by the desire to protect its £5 million ($8 million/€6 million) Sport England funding which it came close to losing after the body said it had "significant concerns" about the governance of the association.

Former Sports Minister Richard Caborn resigned from his role as ABAE chairman in September due to a row over the appointment of a new Board © Getty Images Former Sports Minister Richard Caborn resigned from his role as ABAE chairman in September due to a row over the appointment of a new Board © Getty Images
























The vote on the new Board will see the 11 regional associations each have one vote on whether to ratify the new directors along with one vote for the combined associations.

Acceptance of the new Board will be decided by majority vote meaning six votes is the minimum required.

The vote on whether to accept the new Articles of Association will precede the Board decision.

Acceptance of the new Articles would see voting rights under the new constitution extended to clubs with more than 20 members.

Currently, voting power lies with the heads of the regional associations.

Under the proposed new Articles of Association members would accept all AIBA statutes, bylaws and technical rules for the sport, including full recognition of the World Series of Boxing (WSB) and AIBA Professional Boxing (APB).

Acceptance of the new Articles requires a 75 per cent majority in favour, nine out of 12 votes.

Both the AIBA and Sport England have said that they will be sending representatives to attend the EGM with both bodies making it known publicly that they regard acceptance of both the new measures as part of a package of vital "compliance" and "modernisation" reforms.

"This is a critical moment for boxing in England which could result in the destruction of the sport at the grassroots and has the potential to affect every member at every club," said the Board of the ABAE in a statement today.

"The decision of the EGM should reflect the opinions of the membership and we urge all clubs, coaches, boxers and volunteers to make their views known to the secretaries of their regional associations and ensure that their voice is heard at this critically important time for the sport."

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