BoxRec

interesting development hey

ANNOUNCEMENT BY BRUCE BAKER, JIM EVANS & DAVE CURRIVAN ON INTENDED
LEGAL ACTION AGAINST THE BRITISH BOXING BOARD OF CONTROL

When: THURSDAY 27TH MARCH, 12:30PM FOR 1:00PM

Where: No 5 Chambers, 4/7 Greenwood House, Salisbury Square, Fleet Street,
London EC4Y 8AA

Why: Bruce Baker, Chairman of the Professional Boxing Promoters
Association invite all media to a press conference at the No 5 Chambers in
London on Thursday March 27th with Jim Evans, Dave Currivan and their
legal team to announce the intended legal action against the British
Boxing Board Of Control for their restrictive practices, including
restraint of trade and the enforcement of unlawful rules.

What do they want ?

I've got front row seats, next to our gym

JimJim2009 wrote:What do they want ?

Their own rules?

its from the same people who are bringing this pile of horse shit

WORLD BOXING UNION

London, England – Thursday, 20th March 2014

Five WBU Titles Head Up Mega Event In Poole, UK On April 19th

World Boxing Union President, Mr. Don Lewis, announced earlier today that the WBU will be sanctioning no less than five Championship bouts on a mega event being promoted by Dave Fisher, that takes place at the Lighthouse in Poole, Dorset, UK on Saturday 19th April 2014.

Heading up the show sees Bournemouth’s multi title winning Steven Bendall back in Championship action, when he challenges for the World Boxing Union Middleweight World Championship against Ghana’s Emmanuel ‘Sleek’ Clottey.

This mouth watering match-up pitches two of the most experienced and exciting Middleweights around against each other

Bendall, a former English, WBU and IBO Inter-Continental Champion has an extensive Championship pedigree, going right back to 2001 when he won the aforementioned World Boxing Union title and even more recently Bendall beat John Akulugu to secure the WBUv title.

On the other hand Clottey, a former IBA Americas Champion, campaigned Championships on numerous occasions during his stellar career, the first back in 1995 when he secured the Ghanaian Super Featherweight title.

Clottey is no stranger to fighting in the UK, in fact on just his second Championship outing Clottey unsuccessfully challenged Holloway’s Colin Dunne for his World Boxing Union Lightweight crown, which took place at York Hall in London, so Clottey is no stranger to fighting on British soil.

Co-headlining on April 19th are Kingsteignton, Devon’s Jamie ‘The Genius’ Speight, who challenges Accra, Ghana’s Michael ‘Annor Ray’ Barnor for the WBU Super Bantamweight World crown and Newton Abbot’s Gareth Hogg takes on Accra, Ghana’s Ibrahim Labaran for the vacant World Boxing Union Light Heavyweight title.

Co-main support, for the three World title fights, are two further Championship bouts, the first sees Ireland’s Declan Timlin take on Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Adnan Buharalija for the World Boxing Union European Heavyweight title, whilst exciting former Team GB star Iain ‘The Blessed One’ Weaver makes his first tilt at a title, when he faces Accra, Ghana’s Michael Ansah for the vacant World Boxing union Super Featherweight Youth title.

In addition to the five Championship fights there will also be an undercard crammed with the top young talent, including former England captain Antonio Counihan and top amateur star Ishmael Nettey, who will be making his professional debut.

Tickets, priced £25 (Rear Floor Seating) £35 (Balcony), £45 (Choir Stage), £50 (Outer Ring) and £70 (Ringside) for the Dave Fisher promoted World Boxing Union Championship event, which takes place at The Lighthouse in Poole, Dorset on Saturday 19th April 2014, are available from www.tkoboxoffice.com - www.tkoboxoffice.co.uk or www.eventbrite.co.uk or call the ticket line on 07960 850645.

Please go online to www.wbuboxing.orgor www.wbueurope.eufor additional information on upcoming WBU and WBU Europe sanctioned title fights.

Follow WBU and WBU Europe on Twitter @WBUEurope & @TheRealWBU - friend us at www.facebook.com/WBUEurope- www.facebook.com/WorldBoxingUnionand on LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/wbu-europe

- END –

FURTHER INFORMATION/INTERVIEW REQUESTS

For further information or interviews please contact:

Gianluca (Rio) Di Caro

WBU Europe Limited

standing8 wrote:

JimJim2009 wrote:What do they want ?

Their own rules?

Exactly no medical provisions and allow anybody who has got a pulse to box as long as they sell tickets

JimJim2009 wrote:What do they want ?

They want to be free to do what they want to do.......
http://youtu.be/MnGzl-OEyGE

The biggest issue in all this is the fact that they will drain the finances of the Board because they'll have to pay lawyers to defend this action. The Board's finances are already leaking like a seive because of previous legal actions.
If I was one of the Boards stewards I'd feel like giving up. You try your best to regulate boxing in this country and every honest decision you make now is being challenged in the law courts.
We're heading down to the road to anarchy, which means that anybody who wants to promote professional boxing can do so and simply invent their own rules as they go along. In this scenario if there is some sort of disaster, 'the company' who organised the event and is being sued can simply go into liquidation and avoid paying any damages.

I've said it before. The Board should simply change from being a 'company' and become a 'club' for members only. When you join you accept the rules and if you don't like the rules- you leave. If you break the rules- you're kicked out. That's what happens in golf clubs for example.
Women can't be members of some very famous golf clubs and the media and politicians have tried to force those clubs to change their rules. But they can't do anything within the law to force them, because they're not members !!! There's a lesson here.

dalcumly wrote:The biggest issue in all this is the fact that they will drain the finances of the Board because they'll have to pay lawyers to defend this action. The Board's finances are already leaking like a seive because of previous legal actions.
If I was one of the Boards stewards I'd feel like giving up. You try your best to regulate boxing in this country and every honest decision you make now is being challenged in the law courts.
We're heading down to the road to anarchy, which means that anybody who wants to promote professional boxing can do so and simply invent their own rules as they go along. In this scenario if there is some sort of disaster, 'the company' who organised the event and is being sued can simply go into liquidation and avoid paying any damages.

I've said it before. The Board should simply change from being a 'company' and become a 'club' for members only. When you join you accept the rules and if you don't like the rules- you leave. If you break the rules- you're kicked out. That's what happens in golf clubs for example.
Women can't be members of some very famous golf clubs and the media and politicians have tried to force those clubs to change their rules. But they can't do anything within the law to force them, because they're not members !!! There's a lesson here.

spot on mate that would solve all the problems of self interested people who challenge any decision that doesnt suit them

IMO the British boxing board of control do a good job regulating our sport, I'd like to see more drug testing in our sport but all in all I'm happy with how I'm protected in a very dangerous sport

According to the schedule a couple of the fights are now for the Universal Boxing Federation only. What a big loss that is to not have the WBU involved!!

What a crock of shit!!

curtis wood wrote:IMO the British boxing board of control do a good job regulating our sport, I'd like to see more drug testing in our sport but all in all I'm happy with how I'm protected in a very dangerous sport

A fair comment but this legal action may be about the laws of the EU against the antiquated rules of the Board. We'll wait and see.

I don't know the people involved, but to be fair I (along with many others) spend a lot of time moaning about the sport - at least these people are actually putting their words into actions.

I understand that the motivation may be their own self interest, but the same can be said of the BBofC and also the boxers themselves.

The golf club analogy is not a good one - if you don't like one golf club then you can join another. The BBofC want to be the only club - therefore if you don't like their rules then you cannot join another club as there isn't one !

This is the point of this action - why should there be only one "club" ?

Surely such a monopoloy cannot be good for this or any sport / organisation ?

Even the title of this thread "Unlicensed group" - Unlicensed by who ? - the BBBof C that's who ! doesn't necessarily in itself make it better or worse than the BBBofC, just a different body.

The reasonong for this is not for fair competition or progress for our sport! Its clearly cash. Self interest and lust for power.
The BBBofC are flawed & should be more transparent & accountable but, much like the FA, at least we have one autonymous governing body and all pro boxer's records, medicals etc are together.
For those who want to see more governing boards, be careful what you wish for. More isn't necessarily better.

Board officials are commenting on this, as are friends of the board, so it is understandable why a lot of comments are in support of the board, the health issues are a worry, but if other governing bodies carry out the right checks, I don't see why we can't have more then one, it will keep people on their toes.

donal wrote:its from the same people who are bringing this pile of horse poo

WORLD BOXING UNION

London, England – Thursday, 20th March 2014

Five WBU Titles Head Up Mega Event In Poole, UK On April 19th

World Boxing Union President, Mr. Don Lewis, announced earlier today that the WBU will be sanctioning no less than five Championship bouts on a mega event being promoted by Dave Fisher, that takes place at the Lighthouse in Poole, Dorset, UK on Saturday 19th April 2014.

Heading up the show sees Bournemouth’s multi title winning Steven Bendall back in Championship action, when he challenges for the World Boxing Union Middleweight World Championship against Ghana’s Emmanuel ‘Sleek’ Clottey.

This mouth watering match-up pitches two of the most experienced and exciting Middleweights around against each other

Bendall, a former English, WBU and IBO Inter-Continental Champion has an extensive Championship pedigree, going right back to 2001 when he won the aforementioned World Boxing Union title and even more recently Bendall beat John Akulugu to secure the WBUv title.

On the other hand Clottey, a former IBA Americas Champion, campaigned Championships on numerous occasions during his stellar career, the first back in 1995 when he secured the Ghanaian Super Featherweight title.

Clottey is no stranger to fighting in the UK, in fact on just his second Championship outing Clottey unsuccessfully challenged Holloway’s Colin Dunne for his World Boxing Union Lightweight crown, which took place at York Hall in London, so Clottey is no stranger to fighting on British soil.

Co-headlining on April 19th are Kingsteignton, Devon’s Jamie ‘The Genius’ Speight, who challenges Accra, Ghana’s Michael ‘Annor Ray’ Barnor for the WBU Super Bantamweight World crown and Newton Abbot’s Gareth Hogg takes on Accra, Ghana’s Ibrahim Labaran for the vacant World Boxing Union Light Heavyweight title.

Co-main support, for the three World title fights, are two further Championship bouts, the first sees Ireland’s Declan Timlin take on Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Adnan Buharalija for the World Boxing Union European Heavyweight title, whilst exciting former Team GB star Iain ‘The Blessed One’ Weaver makes his first tilt at a title, when he faces Accra, Ghana’s Michael Ansah for the vacant World Boxing union Super Featherweight Youth title.

In addition to the five Championship fights there will also be an undercard crammed with the top young talent, including former England captain Antonio Counihan and top amateur star Ishmael Nettey, who will be making his professional debut.

Tickets, priced £25 (Rear Floor Seating) £35 (Balcony), £45 (Choir Stage), £50 (Outer Ring) and £70 (Ringside) for the Dave Fisher promoted World Boxing Union Championship event, which takes place at The Lighthouse in Poole, Dorset on Saturday 19th April 2014, are available from http://www.tkoboxoffice.com - http://www.tkoboxoffice.co.uk or http://www.eventbrite.co.uk or call the ticket line on 07960 850645.

Please go online to http://www.wbuboxing.orgor http://www.wbueurope.eufor additional information on upcoming WBU and WBU Europe sanctioned title fights.

Follow WBU and WBU Europe on Twitter @WBUEurope & @TheRealWBU - friend us at http://www.facebook.com/WBUEurope- http://www.facebook.com/WorldBoxingUnionand on LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/wbu-europe

- END –

FURTHER INFORMATION/INTERVIEW REQUESTS

For further information or interviews please contact:

Gianluca (Rio) Di Caro

WBU Europe Limited

I thought this was a joke... Is it?

I don't wish anyone any bad luck in their enterprises. But challenging the board??? Why???

If we have multiple organisations then we are heading towards a real disaster... Soon we'll have 3 or 4 different British belts. The Midlands area Jr Welterweight unification fight fought at a catchweight of 138 and a half pounds...I guess that's something to look forward to.

Clint Magnum wrote:The reasonong for this is not for fair competition or progress for our sport! Its clearly cash. Self interest and lust for power.
The BBBofC are flawed & should be more transparent & accountable but, much like the FA, at least we have one autonymous governing body and all pro boxer's records, medicals etc are together.
For those who want to see more governing boards, be careful what you wish for. More isn't necessarily better.

In the America the capital of boxing, they have a different one for each state.

Anzi wrote:

Clint Magnum wrote:The reasonong for this is not for fair competition or progress for our sport! Its clearly cash. Self interest and lust for power.
The BBBofC are flawed & should be more transparent & accountable but, much like the FA, at least we have one autonymous governing body and all pro boxer's records, medicals etc are together.
For those who want to see more governing boards, be careful what you wish for. More isn't necessarily better.

In the America the capital of boxing, they have a different one for each state.

And some of the state governing bodies have been atrocious, allowing terrible mismatches, falsifying fighters records and have poor safety provision. I imagine it's better now than it was in the 80's but there were some horror stories.

These shitty shows have been put on in this country and the Board can`t do anything about it,so I don`t see the restraint of trade because these show are happening with a foreign board and there is nothing the BBBoC can do about it due to EU rules.Has anyone been to any of these shows because they do look terrible on paper

Anzi wrote:

Clint Magnum wrote:The reasonong for this is not for fair competition or progress for our sport! Its clearly cash. Self interest and lust for power.
The BBBofC are flawed & should be more transparent & accountable but, much like the FA, at least we have one autonymous governing body and all pro boxer's records, medicals etc are together.
For those who want to see more governing boards, be careful what you wish for. More isn't necessarily better.

In the America the capital of boxing, they have a different one for each state.

Yes, but in America they are statutory bodies put in place by government. If the government here was to create such a system, there would only be one board and isn't that what people have issue with?#

For those saying we need more than one association, we do have. They're ten a penny. There's the IBA, the EBF, the other EBF and countless other bodies sanctioning shows on that "other" circuit that people are either oblivious to or refuse to admit exists. Then there's the foreign licensing such as Maltese and GBA.

We only have one recognised and respected board, but as a self appointed body without statutory status, its is not legally permitted to throw its weight around in the way it wishes. The board possibly needs some reform, but starting up new boards with even more spurious titles is not the answer. The waters are muddy enough without some self-interested people making it worse because they want to maximise their profits in the short-term.

The full set up really is a shambles, we have all discussed the problems on these forums in the past.

Doesnt matter who licences it or promotes it, people can throw together any 3 letter combination and fool the general public that they are a legit organisation with 'world titles' on the line and sadly, I cant see it ever getting any better!!

Wake up call wrote:

Anzi wrote:

Clint Magnum wrote:The reasonong for this is not for fair competition or progress for our sport! Its clearly cash. Self interest and lust for power.
The BBBofC are flawed & should be more transparent & accountable but, much like the FA, at least we have one autonymous governing body and all pro boxer's records, medicals etc are together.
For those who want to see more governing boards, be careful what you wish for. More isn't necessarily better.

In the America the capital of boxing, they have a different one for each state.

Yes, but in America they are statutory bodies put in place by government. If the government here was to create such a system, there would only be one board and isn't that what people have issue with?#

For those saying we need more than one association, we do have. They're ten a penny. There's the IBA, the EBF, the other EBF and countless other bodies sanctioning shows on that "other" circuit that people are either oblivious to or refuse to admit exists. Then there's the foreign licensing such as Maltese and GBA.

We only have one recognised and respected board, but as a self appointed body without statutory status, its is not legally permitted to throw its weight around in the way it wishes. The board possibly needs some reform, but starting up new boards with even more spurious titles is not the answer. The waters are muddy enough without some self-interested people making it worse because they want to maximise their profits in the short-term.

IBA, EBF etc are not alternatives as they are not professional boxing outfits, they are white collar set ups.
I think the BBBoC do an excellent job all in all.
I believe Bruce Baker and the PBPA are attempting to bring GBA to the UK as a full time organisation.

leejonesjnr wrote: IBA, EBF etc are not alternatives as they are not professional boxing outfits, they are white collar set ups.
I think the BBBoC do an excellent job all in all.
I believe Bruce Baker and the PBPA are attempting to bring GBA to the UK as a full time organisation.

They are not white collar set ups. A lot of people wrongly make that assumption. They do stage some white collar events, but on the whole EBF and IBA boxers get paid. They charge for tickets. The fighters on their bills are not stockbrokers (who white collar boxing was set up for) and they aren't boxing for charity. They call themselves "semi-pro" now, but anyone who gets paid for doing anything can call themselves "professional". Likewise, most BBBofC pros have other jobs, so you could call them "semi-pro" as well if you wanted.

They are boxing associations, whether we like it or not and there is not one thing anyone can do to stop them calling themselves professional boxing organisations if they wanted. If the EBF decided to one day start marketing themselves as an alternative to the BBBofC, they would be well within their legal rights. Given the amount of current and ex board licensees currently working and fighting on EBF shows, you could argue they've already made this move.

I work in BBBofC regulated boxing and, at one time I even worked for Bruce Baker. I am a supporter of the board, but I can clearly see how boxing across all levels in the UK operates. A couple of years ago, I spoke to Robert Smith and Spencer Brown of the EBF at length on the legalities of both bodies' existence. Bruce told me at the board's EGM in 2011 that he wanted to set up his break away organisation that would include so-called professionals, alongside novice classes and some white collar fights (unpaid, for charity). I don't like it, but what can you do?

Wake up call wrote:

leejonesjnr wrote: IBA, EBF etc are not alternatives as they are not professional boxing outfits, they are white collar set ups.
I think the BBBoC do an excellent job all in all.
I believe Bruce Baker and the PBPA are attempting to bring GBA to the UK as a full time organisation.

They are not white collar set ups. A lot of people wrongly make that assumption. They do stage some white collar events, but on the whole EBF and IBA boxers get paid. They charge for tickets. The fighters on their bills are not stockbrokers (who white collar boxing was set up for) and they aren't boxing for charity. They call themselves "semi-pro" now, but anyone who gets paid for doing anything can call themselves "professional". Likewise, most BBBofC pros have other jobs, so you could call them "semi-pro" as well if you wanted.

They are boxing associations, whether we like it or not and there is not one thing anyone can do to stop them calling themselves professional boxing organisations if they wanted.

I work in BBBofC regulated boxing and, at one time I even worked for Bruce Baker. I am a supporter of the board, but I can clearly see how boxing across all levels in the UK operates. A couple of years ago, I spoke to Robert Smith and Spencer Brown of the EBF at length on the legalities of both bodies' existence. Bruce told me at the board's EGM in 2011 that he wanted to set up his break away organisation that would include so-called professionals, alongside novice classes and some white collar fights (unpaid, for charity). I don't like it, but what can you do?

White Collar is a term that has come to mean all types of what many would call unlicensed boxing. It is not professional boxing simply because it is not recognised by the world of professional boxing. I imagine that legally speaking these organisations could call themselves professional boxing if they wanted to, but as the fighters are unable to box for credible professional titles, unrecognised by organisations such as BoxRec and generally earn a few hundred pounds ticket commission, it still wouldn't BE pro boxing now would it? I could call myself a horsey but I wouldn't win the grand national.

Interesting times are ahead certainly. Malta and GBA sanctioned shows with both versions of the WBU titles are already being contested on British soil and presumably eventually BBBoC licensed boxers may wish to fight on those shows. I believe that the BBBoC stance is that they would withdraw the license of a boxer taking part but if someone enforces legal action with regards EU restraint of trade etc then who knows what may happen?