Good Leadership type of letter from USA Boxing (Thank You)

[hbomb2]

Dear USA Boxing Membership:


Happy New Year, I hope all of you and your families enjoyed a happy and healthy holiday season. I realize that due to many of the events of last year, there is a great deal of speculation and rumors floating around regarding USA Boxing and our organization’s future. While we are still early in the process with the newly formed reform committee, I would like to put many of the concerns and rumors to rest.



I know you are looking to find out how the reform committee and potential changes to the organization will affect you and your local gym. There will be minimal, if any impact to you and your day-to-day operations at the local level. The changes that could be made are related to the composition of USA Boxing’s governance and Board of Directors as well as how things are handled at the national level.



However it is important to understand that it is business as usual for USA Boxing. We are currently planning all of our major national events, and our 15 and 16-year-old boxers are competing right now at the first-ever Junior World Team Open in Reno, Nev. We are sending athletes to upcoming international competitions over the next couple of months and training camps will take place as we forge ahead in developing our athletes.



We are working to align our procedures and rules with AIBA to prepare our young boxers for what they will see at the next level. This includes the change to our age determination date. USA Boxing will no longer use August 1 as the age determination date for national events, but rather the athlete’s birth year. It will break down as follows going forward:



Junior (15‐16 years old): Athletes must be 15‐16 years old in the year of 2013 to compete in the Junior Division. This means they must be born in 1997‐1998 to be eligible. Athletes cannot turn 17 anytime during the year of 2013.



Youth (17‐18 years old): Athletes must be 17‐18 years old in the year of 2013 to compete in the Youth Division. This means they must be born in 1995‐1996 to be eligible. Athletes cannot turn 19 anytime during the year of 2013.



Elite (17‐34 years old): Athletes must be 17‐34 years old in the year of 2013 to compete in the Elite Division. This means they must be born in 1996‐1979 to be eligible. Athletes cannot turn 35 anytime during the year of 2013. However, this is more than likely to change with new rules from AIBA. Once the new rules are publicized, USA Boxing will adopt and follow.



The year of 2013 will be a transitional year, as some athletes may only have been able to compete in the Junior Olympic Tournament for one year. This also means that athletes who are 16 and turning 17 in 2013 will be eligible for the USA Boxing National Championships.



Another change that has been made to both help align with AIBA’s procedures as well as keep the draw more organized is the addition of a general weigh-in at USA Boxing National Events. The first general weigh-in was held on Monday morning at the Junior World Team Open. The tournament general weigh-in will now take place on the first day of competition prior to the event draw. Only athletes who make weight at the general weigh-in will be entered into the draw.



We are still awaiting word from AIBA on the final rule changes regarding age divisions, and will let the membership know as soon as possible as those changes will impact how we run our national events.



We know that all the turmoil of the last several months has been challenging, but we greatly appreciate everyone’s patience as we work through all of these issues. We will keep everyone posted regarding any changes to the organization. Please keep up all the great work across the country.



Sincerely,



Anthony Bartkowski

Executive Director

[scallum]

Is that a typo It says Elite 17-34?

[hbomb2]

Is that a typo It says Elite 17-34?

I hope not. That is the letter straight from the ED. We can roll with that as it would not hurt our programs. Now we just got to some how keep the headgear on as we do not need our athletes to be more susceptible to cuts. Those that fought or fight pro know what I am speaking of. Amateurs compete more times than pros. An amateur can compete 5 times in just as many days in a tournament. We have to keep the headgear on.

[scallum]

Is that a typo It says Elite 17-34?

I hope not. That is the letter straight from the ED. We can roll with that as it would not hurt our programs. Now we just got to some how keep the headgear on as we do not need our athletes to be more susceptible to cuts. Those that fought or fight pro know what I am speaking of. Amateurs compete more times than pros. An amateur can compete 5 times in just as many days in a tournament. We have to keep the headgear on.

There are kids fighting 4 times n 4 days,at World Juniors right now , one kid look so tired he can.barely walk. I'm ngonna be entering my kid in big tournsments if they got to fight 4 or 5 times without headgear in.a week. Thats just not safe. Kids will be better off just going pro

[JMac]

I'm not gonna be entering my kid in big tournsments if they got to fight 4 or 5 times without headgear in.a week. Thats just not safe. Kids will be better off just going pro

I have always been a big proponent of headgear in amateurs for safety reasons. I have also been involved in amateur boxing for 35 years and have seen a lot of things and have gotten to know many boxers who started off as young 10 years olds who had lots of amateur bouts and then went onto pro careers. I am not a doctor but I have debated doctors on radio and in person about how safe amateur boxing is. I don't feel that way anymore because of how long I have been around and what I have seen. It is not safe to get hit in the head, headgear or not. Especially for young children whose brains are still growing. I have seen too many boxers who I knew when they were young and now that they are older I can see now how they slur when they talk, seem slower, etc. It's obviously from boxing. Part of the way that the brain suffers trauma is when the head gets hit and the head twist violently left or right. Getting hit with a good hook will do that. Having strong neck muscles will help prevent the head from twisting. Having a headgear on does not prevent that, in fact, headgear increases the size of the head to make it a larger target to be hit. Many boxers feel that with headgear on, their head is safe and they don't move their head and feel no problem to take a jab or straight cross on the forehead. Guess what, the brain is still getting jarred. There are doctors who now feel that by removing the headgear, boxers will hopefully learn to move their heads better and slip punches and the brain will be safer. There can and probably will be a better chance of boxers colliding heads as they are both moving their heads which will lead to more cuts but hopefully less brain damage. The same issues of brain trauma is being discussed with American football as you have all probably seen and a big concern is with youth football and hits to a young brain that has not yet physically matured yet. The same thing is true with soccer with heading the ball and the damage to the brain is the same.

[JMac]

Ps: to my post above, despite what I said, I still love boxing and still coach, etc. I was just trying to say that doctors are now coming to the conclusion and probably more studies are needed to say that headgear are really only good for preventing cuts. As coaches, we need to do a better job of teaching defense and the art of slipping a punch which of course is a part of defense. Also do exercises for the neck to help make it stronger.

[scallum]

In my humble opinion, fighting without headgear is much more dangerous because I think the headgear helps absorb the punches better. I think coaches should spend much more time on all aspects of boxing , almost every gym I.walk into coaches are spending like 90% of their time only on one aspect of the game

[scallum]

Ps: to my post above, despite what I said, I still love boxing and still coach, etc. I was just trying to say that doctors are now coming to the conclusion and probably more studies are needed to say that headgear are really only good for preventing cuts. As coaches, we need to do a better job of teaching defense and the art of slipping a punch which of course is a part of defense. Also do exercises for the neck to help make it stronger.

It's weird I was typing my last post at the same time as you were typing yours , I was basically saying the same about coaches teaching more defense. Well I actually typed mine before reading your last one but I agree 1000% far to much time is spent on offense.

[JMac]

Ps: to my post above, despite what I said, I still love boxing and still coach, etc. I was just trying to say that doctors are now coming to the conclusion and probably more studies are needed to say that headgear are really only good for preventing cuts. As coaches, we need to do a better job of teaching defense and the art of slipping a punch which of course is a part of defense. Also do exercises for the neck to help make it stronger.

It's weird I was typing my last post at the same time as you were typing yours , I was basically saying the same about coaches teaching more defense. Well I actually typed mine before reading your last one but I agree 1000% far to much time is spent on offense.

[scallum]

Got to listen to Senor Pedro Roque Otano The Great Cuban coach last nite he is a great motivator, Team Usa is on its way back to Glory, GOD willing

[Tarquin Tarpaulin IV]

In my humble opinion, fighting without headgear is much more dangerous because I think the headgear helps absorb the punches better. I think coaches should spend much more time on all aspects of boxing , almost every gym I.walk into coaches are spending like 90% of their time only on one aspect of the game

Our club doctor was a leading consultant neurosurgeon who travelled around Europe carrying out life saving operations. He looked closely at the medical history of a number of boxers who had suffered career ending head injuries including Michael Watson and Rod Douglas.

He held many of the views expressed by JMac and was very specific about the fallacy that headguards help absorb punches but do instead increase the speed of shockwaves to increasingly dangerous levels.

the only problem with any argument for or against is that for every contest the boxers be they pro or amateur will have done many more rounds in the gym WITh headguards worn most of the time.

[Tarquin Tarpaulin IV]

Dear USA Boxing Membership:


Happy New Year, I hope all of you and your families enjoyed a happy and healthy holiday season. I realize that due to many of the events of last year, there is a great deal of speculation and rumors floating around regarding USA Boxing and our organization’s future. While we are still early in the process with the newly formed reform committee, I would like to put many of the concerns and rumors to rest.



I know you are looking to find out how the reform committee and potential changes to the organization will affect you and your local gym. There will be minimal, if any impact to you and your day-to-day operations at the local level. The changes that could be made are related to the composition of USA Boxing’s governance and Board of Directors as well as how things are handled at the national level.



However it is important to understand that it is business as usual for USA Boxing. We are currently planning all of our major national events, and our 15 and 16-year-old boxers are competing right now at the first-ever Junior World Team Open in Reno, Nev. We are sending athletes to upcoming international competitions over the next couple of months and training camps will take place as we forge ahead in developing our athletes.



We are working to align our procedures and rules with AIBA to prepare our young boxers for what they will see at the next level. This includes the change to our age determination date. USA Boxing will no longer use August 1 as the age determination date for national events, but rather the athlete’s birth year. It will break down as follows going forward:



Junior (15‐16 years old): Athletes must be 15‐16 years old in the year of 2013 to compete in the Junior Division. This means they must be born in 1997‐1998 to be eligible. Athletes cannot turn 17 anytime during the year of 2013.



Youth (17‐18 years old): Athletes must be 17‐18 years old in the year of 2013 to compete in the Youth Division. This means they must be born in 1995‐1996 to be eligible. Athletes cannot turn 19 anytime during the year of 2013.



Elite (17‐34 years old): Athletes must be 17‐34 years old in the year of 2013 to compete in the Elite Division. This means they must be born in 1996‐1979 to be eligible. Athletes cannot turn 35 anytime during the year of 2013. However, this is more than likely to change with new rules from AIBA. Once the new rules are publicized, USA Boxing will adopt and follow.



The year of 2013 will be a transitional year, as some athletes may only have been able to compete in the Junior Olympic Tournament for one year. This also means that athletes who are 16 and turning 17 in 2013 will be eligible for the USA Boxing National Championships.



Another change that has been made to both help align with AIBA’s procedures as well as keep the draw more organized is the addition of a general weigh-in at USA Boxing National Events. The first general weigh-in was held on Monday morning at the Junior World Team Open. The tournament general weigh-in will now take place on the first day of competition prior to the event draw. Only athletes who make weight at the general weigh-in will be entered into the draw.



We are still awaiting word from AIBA on the final rule changes regarding age divisions, and will let the membership know as soon as possible as those changes will impact how we run our national events.



We know that all the turmoil of the last several months has been challenging, but we greatly appreciate everyone’s patience as we work through all of these issues. We will keep everyone posted regarding any changes to the organization. Please keep up all the great work across the country.



Sincerely,



Anthony Bartkowski

Executive Director

It's absolutely amazing that somebody in such a position of influence should construct a letter that on one hand states that alignment to AIBA procedures is paramount without mention of the central point of those changes which is to insist that EVERY single person involved with the professional code must sign up to AIBA Professional Boxing and cut all ties with other organisations.

This drive towards professionalism will destroy amateur boxing as we know it and titivating the weight classes is of little importance when faced with the bigger picture.

Open your eyes USA!!!

[fighterdad]

Elite should be 19-39. Don't know why a mistake like this is possible. Now is a time where it is important that we get accurate information. Dumb mistake

[JMac]

It's absolutely amazing that somebody in such a position of influence should construct a letter that on one hand states that alignment to AIBA procedures is paramount without mention of the central point of those changes which is to insist that EVERY single person involved with the professional code must sign up to AIBA Professional Boxing and cut all ties with other organisations.

This drive towards professionalism will destroy amateur boxing as we know it and titivating the weight classes is of little importance when faced with the bigger picture.

Open your eyes USA!!!

What is the EABA doing about it?

[Tarquin Tarpaulin IV]

It's absolutely amazing that somebody in such a position of influence should construct a letter that on one hand states that alignment to AIBA procedures is paramount without mention of the central point of those changes which is to insist that EVERY single person involved with the professional code must sign up to AIBA Professional Boxing and cut all ties with other organisations.

This drive towards professionalism will destroy amateur boxing as we know it and titivating the weight classes is of little importance when faced with the bigger picture.

Open your eyes USA!!!

What is the EABA doing about it?

Do you mean Europe (EABA/EUBC) or England ABAE?

[JMac]

It's absolutely amazing that somebody in such a position of influence should construct a letter that on one hand states that alignment to AIBA procedures is paramount without mention of the central point of those changes which is to insist that EVERY single person involved with the professional code must sign up to AIBA Professional Boxing and cut all ties with other organisations.

This drive towards professionalism will destroy amateur boxing as we know it and titivating the weight classes is of little importance when faced with the bigger picture.

Open your eyes USA!!!

What is the EABA doing about it?

Do you mean Europe (EABA/EUBC) or England ABAE?

England ABAE

[Tarquin Tarpaulin IV]

The ABA of England is becoming subserviant to BABA (The British Amateur Boxing Association) but there is political unrest between the nations, England, Scotland and Wales as the latter two seek an improved share of the financial pot and equal voting rights. As England provide most of the boxers and most of the funding they seek to maintain the traditional dominant role.
The funding streams (£13 million over 4 years) depends on the countries uniting under BABA who it seems are keen to bow to AIBA's will. Signing up to the WSB and changing governance structures appears to be a move to make an easy transition into the world of AIBA Professional Boxing and take on board all demands and changes.
It might be worth noting at this stage that the sport is now being led by politicians and businessmen with few if any boxing people with the will or ability to challenge or talk against detrimental changes.

Last year there was a genuine threat of a breakaway, a group who like the difference between amateur and pro, predominantly volunteers and who were fed up with ever increasing demands for money (registration fees etc.,) to finance Head Office salaries. The timing was wrong. Were it to rise again there's a very real chance of success as volunteers watch professionals come into the game in search of the $$$$$$$$$$$$$.

Good leadership relies on good communication, more so when the 'workers' are volunteers. There are many people in the UK that drive the sport on the ground at a local level. As they become disenfranchised their mood changes. The future is uncertain.

[Tarquin T]

http://www.espn.co.uk/boxing/sport/story/189415.html

Go to 23 minutes in for details of APB Boxing being discussed...