California Boxing - what is going on now

Dennis · Post by **Dennis** » 17 Feb 2007, 17:51

I just noticed that there is a disclaimer on USA Boxing's website which states the following:
"AN IMPORTANT NOTICE TO ALL CENTRAL AND NORTHERN CALIFORNIA BOXERS AND COACHES

The regional qualifier for the Central Pacific took place in December. Any information that has been disseminated stating that there will be a regional qualifier for the U.S. Championships in San Francisco in early March is INCORRECT. In addition, the event will not be any type of Olympic qualifier.
The event being advertised as the USA Boxing San Francisco Championships will not be sanctioned by USA Boxing. Any athletes who have not qualified and are looking to do so may compete in the Golden Gloves, Midwestern Trials, Eastern Trials or Western Trials.

If you have any questions, please contact USA Boxing at (719) 866-4506."
Credits: http://www.usaboxing.org

What is going on now? More political crap? I smell another lawsuit brewing! Can't we all just get along? LOL.

boxmel · Post by **boxmel** » 20 Feb 2007, 12:36

Sigh, you are sooooo correct on all guesses. Bad politics in the Central Association. When the Northern California Assn. was approached to have their Central Pacific Regional in December, they said no. Central refused to work with them and had their own regional any way. Northern has filed a lawsuit. USA Boxing, in my opinion, did not need to post the LBC problems on their website since it only pertains to two LBCs.

Wonder why they haven't posted Stavros' letter regarding the fact that USA Boxing is NOT paying for travel to, housing or food at the U.S.
Championships in June. I wonder if this will cut down on the number of entries considering the boxers now have to pay their way to ALL the qualifiers? Although the letter did not specify, I wonder if this "no money" also pertains to the non-athlete members, i.e., coaches, officials and team leaders. Let's see - the new BOD took over in October and it's now 4 months later - what have they done? Hmmmmm????

Dennis · Post by **Dennis** » 20 Feb 2007, 13:23

Mel - yes I heard about the "No Funding for the Regional Teams".
USAB is not providing any assistance (i.e. funding) for the regional teams to get to Colorado Springs – no hotels, no travel money, no team money, just nothing. Don’t you love how our NGB assists the sport? They screw up with hanging their hats on one sponsorship, A2P, and when that falls apart they have no back-up plan. USAB needs to obtain other sources of revenue/sponsorship/donations whatever. Currently, it generates almost all of its money from dues and sanction fees and funding from the USOC.

Do you think USA's chances in the Olympics are going to be improved with all this mess and lack of funding? Too many boxers are just saying forget it and either turning pro or giving up the sport. It is a shame.

boxmel · Post by **boxmel** » 20 Feb 2007, 14:03

I don't think any of our boxers are going to be ready for the Olympics unless they are immersed in international competition. Given the schedule for qualifying, i.e., Pan Ams (through April, if needed), U.S. Championships qualifiers (April and May), U.S. Championships in June, Worlds in September and Olympic qualifiers in 2008 (probably the first three months), I don't see where any meaningful international competitions can be fit in.

I really do wonder what our BOD is doing. Considering they treated A2P badly at the annual meeting in Pittsburgh, you would think they would have been working on having other sources of income in case A2P pulled out. Duh.

boxfan08 · Post by **boxfan08** » 20 Feb 2007, 15:02

Dennis you comment on the NGBs assisting their athletes. USAB was one of the very few NGBs that didn't charge entry fees and make money on their national championship events, let alone paying for travel, housing and meals.

People complain about paying to go to tournaments yet Ringside never has a problem drawing over 1000 of those same athletes who complain about going to the USAB natinals.

boxmel · Post by **boxmel** » 20 Feb 2007, 15:13

Boxfan8 - I totally agree with you. We are the ONLY NGB who doesn't charge entry fees, etc. As such, our athletes, and in general, the membership, have been "spoiled" for years. However, I don't think USA Boxing is being run very well and that a lack of funding for the regional teams is just the first we'll see of not-knowing-what-they-are-doing-itis. This lack of funding will probably also impact what happens with the National JOs this year, unless a sponsor with medium-to-deep pockets has been found before July.

Dennis · Post by **Dennis** » 21 Feb 2007, 11:25

boxfan08 wrote:Dennis you comment on the NGBs assisting their athletes. USAB was one of the very few NGBs that didn't charge entry fees and make money on their national championship events, let alone paying for travel, housing and meals.

People complain about paying to go to tournaments yet Ringside never has a problem drawing over 1000 of those same athletes who complain about going to the USAB natinals.

They could and should make money on their national championship events by having sponsors, advertisers, donors, and other types of funding. The sport could be receiving TV money and having the nationals broadcast live. Make money and promote the sport, now that is a novel idea.

In regard to the Ringside Tourney it is a tournament open to all comers so anyone can go. They have novice divisions along with the open divisions. They have girls' and women's divisions. Master's divisions too. For girls and women, it is often the only tournament where they will be able to get a bout and the same thing holds true for the masters division boxers. Ringside also has the entire J.O. classes all the way down to the bantam division so it encompasses a lot of classes. Being an open tourney, many boxers go there because the chance of getting some experience is very high.

boxmel · Post by **boxmel** » 21 Feb 2007, 12:17

The sport could be receiving TV money and having the nationals broadcast live

Excellent idea, Dennis. However - how do you get TV interested? Amateur boxing is a marginal sell, if at all, to advertisers and doesn't have prime time viewing interest. The last TV contract we had was with ESPN several years ago and they showcased our events in the middle of the night. It's hard to sell a product very few care about.

ringrat4life · Post by **ringrat4life** » 21 Feb 2007, 14:51

Yes, The San Francisco USA Championships will lead to the regionals and then nationals... As you can see USA Boxing took down the announcement!! We all need to remember the athletes, and they have to come first. We also have to remember how hard they work... Especially this year as it leads to the Olympics...

boxmel · Post by **boxmel** » 21 Feb 2007, 15:59

Mario - does this mean that Central will have to rehost the regional? I think that's great! When, do you know?

Dennis · Post by **Dennis** » 22 Feb 2007, 01:28

I'm glad to hear that those in charge have come to their senses and put their differences aside for the better of the sport. It will help our athletes, which is what this sport is supposed to be about - the ATHLETES.

boxmel · Post by **boxmel** » 23 Feb 2007, 17:25

I'm glad to hear that those in charge have come to their senses and put their differences aside for the better of the sport.

Try impending law suit to help with differences.

That works better than "coming to their senses."

Dennis · Post by **Dennis** » 23 Feb 2007, 18:23

Not always Mel. Sometimes it just makes the divide between the sides larger and more difficult to traverse.

California Boxing - what is going on now

California Boxing - what is going on now

Re: California Boxing - what is going on now