AIBA EC Meeting - New Competition Rules

boxmel · Post by **boxmel** » 18 Feb 2008, 13:24

Unity in Boxing is the new signature line for the International Boxing Association following the completion of the 2008 Executive Committee meeting in Busan, Korea on Monday.

In the final act of the two-day meeting, all AIBA Executive Committee members signed a declaration of unity, "paving the way forward for AIBA to successfully negotiate the important months ahead," AIBA President Dr. Ching-Kuo Wu said. "The AIBA Executive Committee has made a number of crucial decisions, recognizing the need for a united approach to successfully take AIBA forward. This is a very important phase for AIBA and it is imperative that we are all together on the journey. We need a level of togetherness to support AIBA's new direction and must gain momentum together rather than a select few hindering the progress by going against the current."

The approval of new competition rules, a pledge to increase the autonomy of the national federations and the introduction of new continental confederations were some of the key examples of the Executive Committee implementing the AIBA reforms approved at the 2007 Extraordinary Congress.

New competition rules, which come into effect following the 2008 Olympic Games, include the introduction of three rounds of three minutes for elite men (19-34 years of age), four rounds of two minutes for elite women (19-34 years of age), four rounds of two minutes for Youth Boys (17-18 years of age), three rounds of two minutes for Youth Girls (17-18 years of age), three rounds of two minutes for Junior Boys (15-16 years of age) and three rounds of one and a half minutes for Junior Girls (15-16 years of age).

Makes no sense to me. Women went up, men went down and now they've split the 17-18 year olds away. Sigh. At least it looks like the headgear and tank tops didn't get cut.

The weight categories for women and youth girls were also aligned more closely with men to feature 11 weight categories: 46 kg 48 kg, 51 kg, 54 kg, 57 kg, 60 kg, 64 kg, 69 kg, 75 kg, 81 kg and +81 kg.

AIBA's five Vice-Presidents were also named as the new AIBA Confederation Presidents following the approval of the selection process - the highest-ranked persons in the Vice-President's elections at the 2006 Congress. Dr Abdellah Bessalem (Algeria), Mr. Jorge Guzman (Cuba), Mr Jianping Chang (China), Dr Humbert Furgoni (France) and Mr. Lohial Nuau (Papua New Guinea) were therefore approved as the Presidents of the new AIBA Confederations, which are an amalgamation of the respective AIBA Continental Bureau and Continental Associations.

Meanwhile, Ningbo City, China and Moscow, Russia were named as hosts of the 2008 Women's World Boxing Championships and the 2008 1st AIBA World Cup respectively while a new event - the AIBA President's Cup - was unveiled to recognise the achievements of the AIBA President and will be held in Taiwan, in May. The host city, meanwhile, for the Youth World Championships is expected to be unveiled at the end of March.

locoxelbox · Post by **locoxelbox** » 18 Feb 2008, 14:26

I think it's not too bad with the new changes back to 3x3 for seniors. As you said Mel, at least they didn't take away the headgear. Also, at this stage Women's seniors are fully capable to fight four rounds.

What I don't understand is about the new weight classes. This means Cadets (15-16 now known as Junior Boys) will have the same weights as Seniors (Elite Men) and Juniors (now Youth)? In the AIBA bidding for the World Youth (17-18 ) they had skipped the heavier weight divisions. Hopefully this means the heavyweights are back. Anything else is plain stupid.

How can they name a new competition the "1st AIBA World Cup"? This competition has been held regularly since 1979!

Kolya · Post by **Kolya** » 18 Feb 2008, 16:45

So does this mean I can expect to start boxing 3x3 at National tournaments in 2009; or will USAB keep it at 4x2? How does that work? Interesting changes; now if only they'd work on getting women's boxing in the Olympics...

miboxref · Post by **miboxref** » 18 Feb 2008, 17:31

Mel, any news on the AIBA venture into pro boxing? I'm not sure the 3 x 3 rounds will be as exciting as 4 x 2. I'm thinking of the conditioning of the boxers.

Roberts J · Post by **Roberts J** » 18 Feb 2008, 18:01

I like the 3x3 format. Any ideas how USA tournaments will be after 2008 Olympics ? 3x3 as well ? 81 kg and 81 kg + ??? So does this mean anyone over 81 KG can fight some one who is 110 kg ? Maybe It's only for women, makes no sense to me to remove the 91 and 91+.

Kolya · Post by **Kolya** » 18 Feb 2008, 19:19

Roberts J wrote:I like the 3x3 format. Any ideas how USA tournaments will be after 2008 Olympics ? 3x3 as well ? 81 kg and 81 kg + ??? So does this mean anyone over 81 KG can fight some one who is 110 kg ? Maybe It's only for women, makes no sense to me to remove the 91 and 91+.

That's women's, not mens. They already had slightly different weights for women heavies and super heavies.

boxmel · Post by **boxmel** » 18 Feb 2008, 21:36

We'll have to wait for an announcement from USAB regarding the implementing of the new competition rules - after the Olympics. We'll see if stuff starts with the PAL this year.

JRoberts - the women are only allowed to box at 81 and 81+ kgs. in international competition. They don't have a 90 or 91+ weight class (not enough entries).

JMac · Post by **JMac** » 18 Feb 2008, 22:35

Interesting changes; now if only they'd work on getting women's boxing in the Olympics...

You know, when they add the women, their numbers come from the men. For every women added, they'll be one less male. I'm not saying that is good or bad, just making the comment. The same thing happened with wrestling when they added women. The number of athletes for the summer Olympics is capped. If a new sport comes in, one goes out. That's why it might not be a bad idea for boxing to move to the winter Olympics. They are smaller.

boxmel · Post by **boxmel** » 18 Feb 2008, 22:38

But, JMac - even if boxing moves to the Winter Olympics - won't they still reduce the men in the weight classes the women are in? Or is it strictly a "there-are-too-many-events-in-the-Summer-Olympics" problem? In my opinion, if you want to further alienate the sport and put it out of the mainstream, putting them in the Winter Olympics will do just that. Ummm - maybe our boxers can learn to do so on ice skates?

locoxelbox · Post by **locoxelbox** » 18 Feb 2008, 23:02

That's why it might not be a bad idea for boxing to move to the winter Olympics.

Moving boxing to the winter Olympics would be suicide. I guess you don't know most (specially third world) countries hardly ever heard of the winter Olympics. How big a deal do you think it would be in latin America, Africa, Oceania and most Asian countires if boxing was moved to the winter Olympics?

JAHamilton77 · Post by **JAHamilton77** » 19 Feb 2008, 00:46

amy wrote:
JMac wrote:
Interesting changes; now if only they'd work on getting women's boxing in the Olympics...
You know, when they add the women, their numbers come from the men. For every women added, they'll be one less male. I'm not saying that is good or bad, just making the comment. The same thing happened with wrestling when they added women. The number of athletes for the summer Olympics is capped. If a new sport comes in, one goes out. That's why it might not be a bad idea for boxing to move to the winter Olympics. They are smaller.
I see no reason why we can't get rid of something like...I don't know, there's plenty of obscure sports in the Olympics, one can go bye bye. These ladies work just as hard as the men and put in just as much time and effort (sometimes even more because of how hard it is to get women fights); they deserve to have the chance to go to the Olympics too.

Sports they could get rid of to add womens boxing

Equestrian
Sailing
Table Tennis
Badminton
Canoe/Kayak
Judo
Taekwondo
Shooting
Archery
Handball

I dont even like womens boxing, and dont necessarily think it should be an Olympic sport.... but its better than any of these.

Canada · Post by **Canada** » 19 Feb 2008, 03:09

Id like to know how many regestired female amatuer boxers there are in the world, if there is any way of finding out.

Some of those sports you listed like Judo, Taekwondo, have huge (millions) of competitors, and I think rightfully deserve a spot in the Olympics. However "sports" like Equestrian (horses should get the medal) and skeet shooting have no place in the Olympics as long as womens boxing doesn't.

boxmel · Post by **boxmel** » 19 Feb 2008, 10:51

I see no reason why we can't get rid of something like...I don't know, there's plenty of obscure sports in the Olympics, one can go bye bye. These ladies work just as hard as the men and put in just as much time and effort (sometimes even more because of how hard it is to get women fights); they deserve to have the chance to go to the Olympics too.

Unfortunately, Amy, is isn't going to happen. Women will not be "added" to the sport. I believe there are over 2,000 women (ages 8 and up) registered in the U.S. I'll see if I can get any other pertinent stats in the next couple of days.

JMac · Post by **JMac** » 19 Feb 2008, 11:51

locoxelbox wrote:
That's why it might not be a bad idea for boxing to move to the winter Olympics.
Moving boxing to the winter Olympics would be suicide. I guess you don't know most (specially third world) countries hardly ever heard of the winter Olympics. How big a deal do you think it would be in latin America, Africa, Oceania and most Asian countires if boxing was moved to the winter Olympics?

Good point.

As for Mel's question, yes the summer Olympics have gotten so big and expensive to run they capped the athletes at I believe 10,500.

I agree that there are many what I call fu fu sports for the Olympics like synchronize swimming and now they have synchronize trampoline. They have even added moutain biking! Not to say that is not a tough sport but to put it in the Olympics. Many of the Olympic sports are a joke to me.

boxmel · Post by **boxmel** » 19 Feb 2008, 12:59

As for Mel's question, yes the summer Olympics have gotten so big and expensive to run they capped the athletes at I believe 10,500.

Think that's what I heard, too. It's all commercial - hardly any "amateur" left in the big picture.

I agree that there are many what I call fu fu sports for the Olympics like synchronize swimming and now they have synchronize trampoline.

WHAT!!!!!!!!!!!

My husband is a special fan of toilet paper twirling, too.

Although Cirque du Soliel does make good use of those gymnasts.

Many of the Olympic sports are a joke to me.

Totally agree. Sad, isn't it.

Dennis · Post by **Dennis** » 20 Feb 2008, 16:52

Badminton and table tennis - now there is the definition of "SPORT". LOL. I would say those are more games than sport, especially table tennis. However, the Chinese are good at it so they won't want to let that one go.

boxmel · Post by **boxmel** » 20 Feb 2008, 17:17

However, the Chinese are good at it so they won't want to let that one go.

Definitely guaranteed a gold medal.

Dennis - are you going to COS next month?

Dennis · Post by **Dennis** » 20 Feb 2008, 17:31

No, I won't be in the Springs. I am working hard on the NGG tournament and getting our boxers ready for the local GG tourney that starts on March 22. Our gym is funded by the GG and we work hard to ensure the tournaments success each year.

boxmel · Post by **boxmel** » 20 Feb 2008, 17:54

Bummer. I was so hoping to finally meet you.

Oh well, some other time and place, I suppose.

Freiheit · Post by **Freiheit** » 23 Feb 2008, 14:10

I would like to defend some of the sports you surgest removing from the olympics. What you are forgetting is that its a world event, not an american or chinese event. Some sports are popular in some parts of the world and unknown in other parts of the world. And many sports have had to cut down, not just boxing.

And boxing at winter olympics?? Is it just me or doesnt every winter olympic sport have "snow or ice in it"?

A solution might be to cut back on the number of participant, make it like heavy and super heavy were only the top 16 can enter.

boxmel · Post by **boxmel** » 27 Feb 2008, 19:47

Is the immediate adoption of the rules something USA boxing decided to do in more of an effort to get women's boxing in to the olympics?

Probably not. Who knows what the IOC is planning. Probably switched so the weights would be in compliance with the Women's Worlds this year, Amy.

benvolio · Post by **benvolio** » 14 Mar 2008, 11:44

[quote="boxmel"],
Makes no sense to me. Women went up, men went down and now they've split the 17-18 year olds away. Sigh. At least it looks like the headgear and tank tops didn't get cut.

I'm glad they didn't take the headgear away but I hope they allow fights w/o singlet for juniors and men at least in national bouts as was usual in the seventies and before.

boxmel · Post by **boxmel** » 14 Mar 2008, 14:54

I'm glad they didn't take the headgear away but I hope they allow fights w/o singlet for juniors and men at least in national bouts as was usual in the seventies and before.

Only if AIBA changes the current rule. I find the singlets make it much easier to identify the boxers (team and country names), plus it does help prevent rope burns, is a place to wipe off gloves, and absorbs sweat. I find all the preceeding valid reasons for keeping the tops.

Punchy Joe · Post by **Punchy Joe** » 17 Mar 2008, 18:55

Any talk on scrapping the age 34 cut-off rule??....seems so unfair............

boxmel · Post by **boxmel** » 17 Mar 2008, 19:07

Any talk on scrapping the age 34 cut-off rule??....seems so unfair............

Not even proposed.

AIBA EC Meeting - New Competition Rules

AIBA EC Meeting - New Competition Rules

Re: AIBA EC Meeting - New Competition Rules