It is with great pleasure that we today announce the appointment of Chris Wardrope, FCBI, Chartered Banker as Chairman of the Central Area Board. With the appointment Chris will also take a seat upon the main board of directors, during what is a very exciting time for the British & Irish Boxing Authority (BIBA). The appointment closely follows Class A Star referee Ian John-Lewis joining the organisation.
With a career in Corporate Banking extending over 30 years, and having previously been awarded a Fellowship by the Chartered Banker Institute for services to Banking, Chris will be aiding in the development of BIBA in the region, as well as acting as supervisor & inspector at our many events.
His association with boxing also extends back over 30 years, including being involved in the amateur code, as both a fighter and trainer for many years. More recently within professional boxing, Chris has served for a number of years as the UK & European Co-ordinator and Supervisor for the World Boxing Foundation (WBF). During his time with the organisation Chris has worked closely with the WBF President Mick Croucher in promoting and developing the sanctioning body across the globe.
With strong experience as a supervisor / inspector, Chris has also carried out these duties not only for the WBF, but also in world title fights for the World Boxing Union (WBU). In addition he is a published boxing writer and fight artist. Originally from Scotland, Chris now resides in Chorley, Lancashire.
Chris commented: “Anyone who knows me or has worked with me in the past understands that while I am a career Corporate Banker, my passion in life is Boxing.
“It is a sport I love and have been involved in and studied from a very young age.
“With my professional background, I have experience across many business sectors including strategic planning, business development and financial advice.
“This experience is all cross transferable to my new role within BIBA and I believe that I can add an additional layer of professionalism, balance and guidance to the board, as well as some fresh ideas for the further development of BIBA across not only the UK but globally.
“Most of all, I am boxing man through and through and I look forward to working with the fighters, managers and promoters and assisting them to fulfil their potential.
“I look forward to working at our up coming shows across the region and the UK.”
BIBA Vice President Gianluca Di Caro added: “It is with great pleasure that we appoint Chris, as Chairman of the Central Area and to the main board of directors.
“Having worked with Chris at numerous events, what stood out for us at BIBA was his knowledge of the sport, his professionalism and treatment of the fighters and those around him, which mirrors the BIBA ethos.
“As such we were delighted when we approached him with this opportunity and he accepted readily.
“We welcome Chris to the ever growing BIBA family with open arms and look forward to working closely with him to develop BIBA and our beloved sport further”.
Chris can be contacted at:
Tel/WhatsApp: +44 (0)7702 091803 or via email at cwardrope@boxbiba.com
About the British & Irish Boxing Authority (BIBA)
Founded in 2016, the British & Irish Boxing Authority (BIBA) is a professional Boxing governing, licensing and sanctioning organisation that operates primarily, but not exclusively, in the United Kingdom.
The British & Irish Boxing Authority (BIBA) are the indisputable industry leader, with regard to Health & Safety, within the professional boxing world.
BIBA became the first European Commission to become one hundred percent compliant with the American Federal act. “The Professional Boxing Safety Act 1996”
In 2017, following three major life changing injuries and one fatality on BBBofC sanctioned, not BIBA sanctioned, professional boxing events in the UK in 2016, the BIBA board decided it was time for additional procedures in an attempt to try and reduce further bleed to the brain injuries.
BIBA recruited leading head injury specialist and forensic scientist Professor Michael Graham MBChB; JCPTGP; PhD; FRSM; MPhysoc; BASEM; MICR; MCSFS; PCCMH; APIL Expert; FSB to the BIBA Medical Committee.
BIBA became the first boxing commission world-wide to introduce the potentially life saving Infra-scanners at all events – https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/boxing/article-4197732/BIBA-introduces-scanners-help-prevent-brain-injuries.html
To ensure the highest possible level of Health & Safety for boxers competing on British & Irish Boxing Authority (BIBA) sanctioned events all BIBA licensed officials and coaches are required to have attended a Head Trauma Signs & Symptoms Awareness course annually.
It is our belief that it is essential that in order to be able to deliver the highest levels of duty of care to competing boxers on events sanctioned by ourselves that the officials in the ring and ringside, as well as those in the corner of BIBA licensed boxers when competing, are aware of the signs of possible head trauma.
When combined with other BIBA initiatives, such as Infra-Scanners ringside, Rehydration Drinks, Weight-Cutting monitoring etc. we believe that these initiatives will ensure that those that compete on BIBA sanctioned events are receiving the highest possible levels of care, Health & Safety wise, in the sport.
The British & Irish Boxing Authority (BIBA) also believe that it is imperative that procedures are in place to assist boxers when they retire from competing.
It is a well documented fact that when Athletes from any sport retire that the sudden change of lifestyle, as well as the loss of structure required for competition may cause Mental Health issues, such as depression, anxiety and even drug or alcohol dependency.
As such BIBA have not only introduced a system of retraining retired boxers to be Officials and other roles such as Coaches etc to enable them to remain fully involved in the sport.
In addition BIBA appointed three eminent Sports Psychologists Dr John Pates PhD; Mphil; BA (Jt Hons), PGCE, PDip, Professor Julien S Baker Ph.D, D.Sc, FPhysiol, FHBA, FRSB, FICR, C.Biol, C.Sci and Professor Bruce Davies Ph.D, FACSM, Emeritus Professor of Applied Physiology at the University of South Wales, UK, to the BIBA Medical Advisory Committee to assist the retired boxers as they make the transition from competing to a non-competitive roles within the sport It should be noted all are also leading Health & Exercise Scientists and world authorities on Head Injuries,
BIBA is a signatory of the Mental Health Charter for Sport and Recreation and have assembled a Committee, that includes Professor Graham, Professor Baker and Dr Pates amongst other specialists to create strategies and procedures to assist those in need of support.
The British & Irish Boxing Authority (BIBA) developed the BIBA Health & Safety Executive website, that not only covers Health & Safety advice, resources and information for boxers, but also features Mental Health awareness information and resources.
Whilst it is essential that we get the much needed information and resources available on the very important subject of Mental Health, we believe that we should also include equally important Health & Safety policies, resources and research, especially those that may reduce the potential risks of bleeds to the brain as well as take a serious look at the current rules of the sport to improve the Health & Safety of those that compete.
It was officially announced today that the highly respected and world class championship referee, Ian John-Lewis, has joined the British & Irish Boxing Authority (BIBA). This follows on from his surprise resignation from the British Boxing Board of Control (BBBofC) earlier this month.
A former amateur and professional boxer, he has used this vital experience when he became a referee. In 2000 he became Britain’s first and still only Black A Star referee. in 2010 he became the youngest British referee to be the ‘man in the middle’ at the WBC world heavyweight championship and in 2018 was voted the worlds best boxing referee by his qualified peers.
Now in his 30th year as an official he has refereed 1044 championship bouts, mostly in Britain, and 77 championship contests overseas in 19 different countries including; Italy (15), Denmark (6), Germany (11), France (4), Japan (8), Spain (3), Poland (5), South Africa (2), Turkey (3), Belgium (1), Canada (3), Romania (1), Sweden (1), Russia (5), Zambia (1), Finland (2), USA (3), Saudi Arabia (2) and Gibraltar (2).
John-Lewis’ inaugural professional refereeing assignment was the contest between Darren Fifield and Kevin Jenkins at the famous York Hall in Bethnal Green on the 17th February 1993 and his most recent Championship refereeing assignment was on the 10th December 2021, when he was the third man in the ring for the World Boxing Council (WBC) World Youth Championship contest at the National Sports Centre in Crystal Palace, London between Aaron McKenna and Carlos Galego Montijo.
In addition John-Lewis also judged 442 bouts, of which 305 were Championship contests and again whilst most were in the UK, he also travelled the world on judging assignments.
John-Lewis’ first judging assignment was the World Boxing Federation (WBFed) Pan European Championship fight between Jason Hart and Lester Jacobs that took place at Caesars Nightclub in Streatham, London on the 25th November 1998 and his most recent Championship judging assignment being the IBF, WBA, WBC and WBO Championship contest between Undisputed Champion Josh Taylor and and WBO’s #1 mandatory challenger Jack Catterall that took place on the 26th February 2022 at the SSE Hydro in Glasgow.
On making the announcement, British & Irish Boxing Authority (BIBA) Vice President Gianluca Di Caro said;
“It is truly an honour to welcome one of the very best referees in the world to the BIBA family.
“It seems I am not the only one that is overjoyed that Ian has joined us, on Wednesday, following a photo of Ian and myself being posted on social media, it seemed that not only virtually every BIBA members posted extremely positive comments welcoming Ian aboard, but also many of the boxers that Ian had refereed over the years also posted fantastic reviews and offered their congratulations.
“I, and am sure all BIBA officials, look forward to working with Ian, after all, and as it says on the jacket of his biography – ‘he is a fair man’, ‘he is Ian John-Lewis’, ‘he is the Referee’”
John-Lewis, whose biography I AM THE REFEREE was published in 2014, is a man of few words, then briefly added;
“I’m pleased that the British & Irish Boxing Authority has given me the opportunity to continue to do what I do best…Referee.”
About the British & Irish Boxing Authority (BIBA)
Founded in April 2016, the British & Irish Boxing Authority (BIBA) is a professional Boxing governing, licensing and sanctioning organisation that operates primarily, but not exclusively, in the United Kingdom.
The British & Irish Boxing Authority (BIBA) are the indisputable industry leader, with regard to Health & Safety, within the professional boxing world.
BIBA became the first European Commission to become one hundred percent compliant with the American Federal act. “The Professional Boxing Safety Act 1996”
In 2017, following three major life changing injuries and one fatality on BBBofC sanctioned, not BIBA sanctioned, professional boxing events in the UK in 2016, the BIBA board decided it was time for additional procedures in an attempt to try and reduce further bleed to the brain injuries.
BIBA recruited leading head injury specialist and forensic scientist Professor Michael Graham to the BIBA Medical Committee.
BIBA became the first boxing commission world-wide to introduce the potentially life saving Infra-scanners at all events.
To ensure the highest possible level of Health & Safety for boxers competing on British & Irish Boxing Authority (BIBA) sanctioned events all BIBA licensed officials and coaches are required to have attended a Head Trauma Signs & Symptoms Awareness course annually.
It is our belief that it is essential that in order to be able to deliver the highest levels of duty of care to competing boxers on events sanctioned by ourselves that the officials in the ring and ringside, as well as those in the corner of BIBA licensed boxers when competing, are aware of the signs of possible head trauma.
When combined with other BIBA initiatives, such as Infra-Scanners ringside, Rehydration Drinks, Weight-Cutting monitoring etc. we believe that these initiatives will ensure that those that compete on BIBA sanctioned events are receiving the highest possible levels of care, Health & Safety wise, in the sport.
The British & Irish Boxing Authority (BIBA) also believe that it is imperative that procedures are in place to assist boxers when they retire from competing.
It is a well documented fact that when Athletes from any sport retire that the sudden change of lifestyle, as well as the loss of structure required for competition may cause Mental Health issues, such as depression, anxiety and even drug or alcohol dependency.
As such BIBA have not only introduced a system of retraining retired boxers to be Officials and other roles such as Coaches etc to enable them to remain fully involved in the sport.
In addition BIBA appointed two eminent Sports Psychologists, Dr John Pates PhD; Mphil; BA (Jt Hons), PGCE, PDip and Professor Julian S Baker Ph.D, D.Sc, FPhysiol, FHBA, FRSB, FICR, C.Biol, C.Sci to the BIBA Medical Advisory Committee to assist the retired boxers as they make the transition from competing to a non-competitive roles within the sport.
BIBA is a signatory of the Mental Health Charter for Sport and Recreation and have assembled a Committee, that includes Professor Graham, Professor Baker and Dr Pates amongst other specialists to create strategies and procedures to assist those in need of support.
The British & Irish Boxing Authority (BIBA) developed the BIBA Health & Safety Executive website, that not only covers Health & Safety advice, resources and information for boxers, but also features Mental Health awareness information and resources.
Whilst it is essential that we get the much needed information and resources available on the very important subject of Mental Health, we believe that we should also include equally important Health & Safety policies, resources and research, especially those that may reduce the potential risks of bleeds to the brain as well as take a serious look at the current rules of the sport to improve the Health & Safety of those that compete.
Boxers Brendon Denes and Ivana Habazin along with Habazin’s manager Charles Muniz and promoter Edward Mendy have filed a lawsuit for Injunctive Relief and for Damages against BoxRec, BoxRec Officers, Owners and Managers John Sheppard and Marina Sheppard, BoxRec Employee and Agent Sam Lu, the Association of Boxing Commissions, Round 10 Boxing, Dubai Boxing Commission, Round 10 Boxing and Dubai Boxing Commission Officer, Owner and Manager Ahmed Seddiqi, Round 10 Boxing and Dubai Boxing Commission Manager and Employee Jose Mohan, MTK Global, MTK Global Sponsor, Consultant and Controller Daniel Kinahan, and those unnamed defendants acting in concert with and/or conspiring with them.
This particular case – Download or view case files here – relates mainly to an event that took place at the Arabian Ranches Golf Club in Dubai in April 2021, and highlights that Boxrec are suppressing results submitted by numerous commissions around the world, something that Mike Mazzulli the President of the North American Association of Boxing Commissions (ABC) has known about for a long time, but constantly has failed to deal with.
Back in 2016 Gianluca Di Caro, Vice President of the British & Irish Boxing Authority (BIBA) highlighted Boxrec’s suppression of results from a number of commissions, including BIBA, to Mr Mazzuli, following the appointment of Boxrec as joint Official Record Keeper for the ABC, along with long time Official Record Keeper Fight Fax.
Mr Di Caro, with assistance from former ABC President Tim Lueckenhof and International Boxing Federation (IBF) Rating Director Anibal Miramontes, compiled a dossier of cases of not just the suppression of results but also ‘doctoring’ of boxers records and clear cases of boxer endangerment, due to Boxrec’s failure to update boxers records or event results, which were submitted to Mr Mazzulli.
Mr Mazzulli sent an e.mail to both Boxrec and FightFax with the heading “Boxrec – details of record manipulation and failure to list events or update records.” In which he wrote; “In an effort to resolve this issue, all ABC Boxing Record Keepers will actively recognise and record all pro boxing contest for all commissions (including those in the United Kingdom) that are sent in by those Boxing Commissions that are recognised by the ABC”
Mr Mazzulli’s instructions were clear enough, yet Boxrec continued to ignore the ABC edict and continues to do so even today, as is clear by this latest case, yet the ABC took no further action against Boxrec.
Due to the lack of action by the ABC, Mr Di Caro submitted substantial case files to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) highlighting Boxrec’s inaccuracies and failures.
More recently Mr Di Caro highlighted the dangers of Boxrec’s action in an article published by British Boxing Scene Magazine – Link to British Boxing Scene article
In the article Mr Di Caro referred to an e.mail from another former ABC President, Mr Greg Sirb to Mr Mazzulli in which he stated “I have become increasingly frustrated by the way Boxrec (Marina) has single handedly decided what fight results shall be included in the ABC database. Boxrec like Fight Fax is a record Keeper, that is it, they are not a commission, Boxrec does not decide what is a good result and what is not, the fact is that if a boxing result comes in from a commission (anywhere in the World) that result must be posted.”
Yet even after receiving that e.mail, no action has been taken by the ABC to ensure Boxrec complied to Mr Mazzulli’s edict that Boxrec must actively recognise and record all pro boxing contest for all commissions (including those in the United Kingdom).
The current case also highlights the direct involvement of Daniel Kinahan, who is a known leader of an organised crime syndicate that the US Government placed a $5Million reward for information that leads to the arrest of Mr Kinahan and other high ranking leaders of the cartel – Link to Sky News article
Mr Kinahan recently received vocal support from Mauricio Suilaimán, President of the World Boxing Council (WBC) – Link to Sunday World article – at a time when the US Ambassador for Ireland Claire Cronin called for the Boxing World to cut ties with the gang boss – Link to AP article on Yahoo
The case submitted to US Courts will have significant affect on a number of British Boxers, who are signed to and receive financial support from Mr Kinahan and/or MTK, as well as the British Boxing Board of Control (BBBofC) who license MTK promoter Lee Eaton as well as sanction MTK events in the United Kingdom, despite being fully aware of that the financing of these events is from the proceeds of serious crime.
Robert Smith, the general secretary for the British Boxing Board of Control, stated last year there is nothing the BBBofC can do to prevent the continued involvement of Daniel Kinahan in the sport, as he is not licensed by them. – Link to article in the Guardian
The effect this case could have on the boxing world is far reaching, one that is likely to not only highlight the corruption that is rife in the sport but also affect some of the UK’s top boxing stars, those whose careers have benefitted greatly by them receiving ‘dirty’ money from Kinahan or MTK.
On Sunday night, as the news broke that the Taliban had taken the Afghanistan Capital Kabul, British & Irish Boxing Authority (BIBA) Vice President Gianluca Di Caro, along with BIBA’s Director of Boxing Marianne Marston and Lawyer Mahtab Aziz began trying to locate the Afghan professional boxers licensed by the UK based commission through it’s partnership with the Afghanistan Professional Boxing Commission.
Di Caro immediately made an appeal for information on the whereabouts of the Afghan boxers via social media and achieved some immediate response and was able to contact a handful of the boxers, as well as offers of assistance from WBO World Champion Amir Khan, six time five division World Champion Lee McAllister and Pakistan Professional Boxing Commission President Ahsan Abrar Khan.
PPBC President Ahsan Abrar Khan was the first to respond by offering assistance on the ground in Pakistan once the boxers are able to make it to Pakistan.
Shortly after both Amir Khan and Lee Mcallister offered to help by offering safe haven for the boxers and their families.
Amir Khan offered his Amir Khan Boxing Academy in Islamabad for the Boxers and their families whilst arrangements are made for them to achieve Refugee status and travel to the UK and Lee McAllister offered his Assassin Health & Fitness Village in Aberdeen for the boxers and their families to stay at once they reach the UK.
Earlier today Lee McAllister said; “The boxers are family as far as I am concerned and I can’t just sit here and watch what is unfolding in Afghanistan and do nothing.
“At Assassin Health & Fitness Village we always go above and beyond to help as many people as we can locally as well internationally as and when we can.
“When it comes to hard times like this seeing the boxers and their families in such danger the only option is to reach out and offer to help them as best we can.
“They haven’t asked to be put in this situation so the least we can do is try our best to help ease some of the pain and suffering by showing our support.
“Obviously we can’t help everyone but due to BIBA being involved with their local professional boxing commission it’s a no brainier that we try and push to help those first .
“Just hope and pray that they make it over safe.
“I also hope the British public and boxing community gets behind our efforts to give the families the chance of a new beginning while pushing for the boxers to continue to fulfil their dreams while training and getting boxing bouts in the near future.”
Mr Di Caro also gave an update on the current situation;
“I can’t thank Amir, Lee, Ahsan, Mahtab and Marianne enough for stepping up to the plate and offering to help the boxers and their families.
“I’m pleased to say that we are in contact with all the boxers now and am even more pleased to say that they are all safe, although in hiding fearing for their lives.
“We know they are in genuine danger, not just because of their association with a British organisation like us.
“It wasn’t that long ago that there was an attack on the Afghanistan Professional Boxing Commission’s headquarters in Kabul by the Taliban, which at that time was in the supposedly ‘safe’ Green Zone. A number of people died in the attack, including security team members.
“Whilst very concerned about all the boxers there, have to admit am extremely worried for the safety of the Female boxers and officials there knowing the reputation of the Taliban attitude to and actions against educated Women.
“So far only three of those we are helping have managed to get out, Afghanistan Professional Boxing Commission Secretary General Shukrullah Fazilli and his sister Zarghona, who are now in Kazakhstan and Boxer Imran Nawabzai has made it to Pakistan, where Ahsan is providing assistance on the ground.
“I contacted the Home Office yesterday to request advice on how I can register the boxers and their families for UK Refugee status, unfortunately have yet to have a response from them. I suppose that is understandable as they are almost certainly being inundated with similar requests.
“We created an appeal for funds today, as we need to equip Amir’s gym in Islamabad to accommodate the boxers and their families when they get to Pakistan, so need to buy beds, bedding, cooking equipment and much, much more as well as arrange and pay for transport etc.
“BIBA has limited resources, which are virtually exhausted already, so am really hoping that the public and especially the boxing community will get behind our appeal so we can continue to help get the boxers and their families to safety in Pakistan, India or Kazakhstan, where we have been making arrangements to accommodate them, and eventually to the UK where we can begin helping them rebuild their lives and careers.”
According to Boxrec.com on Saturday night (31st July 2021) Coatbridge’s Ben McGivern and Middlesbrough’s Chris Wood both made their professional boxing debuts at New Douglas Park in Hamilton, Scotland. McGivern beat Lewis van Poetsch (9-126-2) and Wood drew with Corey McCulloch (4-1-0).
However, according to reliable sources within the sport, McGivern made his professional boxing debut on the 4th September 2016 against Jody Meikle at the Westerwood Hotel & Golf Resort, Cumbernauld and Chris Wood made his debut against Edgars Milevics on the 29th March 2015 at the Pryzm, Woodhouse Lane, Leeds.
Following his victory over van Poetsch, McGivern’s current record is in reality 7-1-1 and Wood’s true record is now 5-4-1.
It should also be noted that both McGivern and Wood have fought for professional boxing championships prior to the 31st July 2021.
McGivern is both the Professional Boxing Council (PBC) and World Boxing Union (WBU) International Light Heavyweight Champion, both victories were over Navid Iran, the first on the 17th November 2018 and the second on the 22nd June 2019, which was broadcast live on Fite TV.
Wood is a two time title challenger, having challenged Sammy Hill for the World Boxing Foundation (WBF) British Welterweight Championship and Tommy Jacobs for the British Masters Bronze Super Welterweight title.
So why has Boxrec.com listed them as professionally debuting on the 31st July 2021?
The answer, according to Boxrec, is that they do not recognise the British & Irish Boxing Authority (BIBA), who previously licensed both McGivern and Wood, as they have a policy of recognising only one commission per country, and in the case of the UK that is the British Boxing Board of Control (BBBofC).
However, according to Gianluca Di Caro, Vice President of the British & Irish Boxing Authority (BIBA) that is “Total Bulls**t”, adding “there is no genuine Boxrec policy of one commission per country, the reality is that Boxrec are acting in a protectionist manner on behalf of the BBBofC in our particular case, and what’s more we have the evidence to prove this is the case.”
“Just one example is Germany, where there are three German Commissions, Bund Deutscher Berufsboxer (BDB), German Boxing Association (GBA) and Bund Deutscher Faustkämpfer (BDF), and in addition the Austrian Boxing Federation (ABF) have also sanctioned events in Germany and they are listed by Boxrec.
The most recent being a Sauerland event that took place at the Fraport Arena in Frankfurt that was headlined by an IBF Championship fight between Leon Bunn and Leon Harth on the 4th May 2019.”
“Whilst the BDB, GBA and ABF listings and results can be verified by just going to Boxrec’s website, at this time you will not find anything regarding the BDF, as Boxrec removed BDF as a commission and began listing past BDF events and results as ‘unsanctioned’ and does no longer update any BDF events reports and results following a public dispute between the BDF’s UK rep and Boxrec’s Management back in 2018.”
“The dispute was over Boxrec failing to update the records of boxers that fought on BDF sanctioned events in the UK initially, including the Tommy Jacobs vs Chris Wood British Masters titles fight, both of whom were licensed by BIBA, as were most pro boxers on BDF UK shows.”
“As I said earlier Boxrec act in a protectionist manner on behalf of the BBBofC.”
“A few years earlier Boxrec threatened the GBA with a similar punishment unless they stopped sanctioning events in the UK, unlike the BDF, who continued to sanction events in the UK, the GBA withdrew immediately, interestingly the records and results of the GBA sanctioned UK events prior to receiving threats of removal are still listed on Boxrec”
“Boxrec tried similar tactics with the Malta Boxing Commission (MBC), albeit more underhandedly via the championship organisation the European Boxing Union (EBU), following the MBC sanctioning events in the UK, again the reports and most of the results are still listed on Boxrec, including three of the events that Chris Wood fought on, there is a fourth which has since been wrongly removed by Boxrec.”
“The Chris Wood fight result removed by Boxrec, took place at the Rivals Gym in Wishaw, Scotland on the 25th April 2015 and was against Sam Allan and this one was removed by Boxrec when Allan switched to BBBofC so Boxrec could list Allan as debut and Boxrec’s John Shepherd justified this because the event took place at a gym. Incidentally Boxrec removed the two fights Sam Allan’s record, the one against Chris and another against Marty Kayes without a genuine reason”
“in 2017 John Shepherd used video of the event as so called ‘evidence’ that the BIBA was not a suitable commission to Championship organisations at the Association of Boxing Commissions (ABC) annual convention a few years ago, conveniently forgetting to mention that the event was actually sanctioned by the MBC, not BIBA, or that the BBBofC also sanctioned events at Rivals Gym.”
“This is far from the first incident of Boxrec and BBBofC colluding to maliciously and without foundation try and cause serious problems for BIBA, and not just with the Championship organisations, although the example I will now cite do relate to e.mails from BBBofC Secretary General Robert Smith to the International Boxing Federation (IBF) after the IBF added a number of BIBA licensed boxers to the IBF rankings.”
“In 2017 the International Boxing Federation (IBF) added a number of BIBA licensed boxers to the IBF Intercontinental rankings. Literally within days the secretary general of the BBBofC Robert Smith e.mailed the IBF stating “Dear Lindsey Please note that the following boxers are not licensed by the BBBC but an organisation not recognised by the BBBC- Sandy Robb Nathan DeCastro, Tasif Khan. It is noted they are rated by yourselves.””
“IBF Ratings Director Anibal Miramontes responded “Dear Robert, I don’t rate fighters based on where the license is from. This fighters fight for a different organisation that also does fights in the UK regularly.””
“Robert Smith responded with “They have licences withdrawn or not granted by BBBC due to medical queries. many of the boxers competing for this organisation have had licences withdrawn or not granted. Boxrec can confirm. Speak at the weekend.””
“The IBF e.mailed myself the following “Below you can see e-mail exchanges between Mr. Robert Smith General Secretary of the BBBofC and myself. I will really appreciate if you can send proves that the fighters rated have no medical issues to be license.I don’t understand what boxrec has to do with this, they are not a commission, decision makers regarding medicals or any other issue regarding boxing licenses, but I will reach for John Sheppard, boxrec’s owner, as requested by Mr. Smith. In the meantime, and for precaution I will remove the fighters mention by Mr. Smith until I receive confirmation that don’t have any medical issues.””
“I responded by not only sending the then current medicals but also historic ones, as well as any specialist reports that we had regarding the two boxers that had been wrongly refused BBBofC licenses, by return e.mail in most cases, and within two days for the Scottish based boxers as their medical records are kept by our Scottish Area Chief Medical Officer not head office, which proved that Mr Smith was providing false information.”
“BIBA boxers remained ranked by the IBF, and in fact two of those from the original fighters ranked that Mr Smith named in the e.mail are still ranked by the IBF some four years later.”
“I have a similar case of interference by Boxrec regarding a very recent Championship fight, Lee McAllister versus Richmond Djarbeng World Boxing Organization (WBO) title fight that took place in Aberdeen back in May – which was broadcast globally as well as streamed live on Fite TV and Viva Live TV”
“Following the event the WBO submitted the results to Boxrec only to be informed by Boxrec that the BBBofC are the only commission recognised in Europe (by Boxrec), that is aligned with the WBO as the excuse not to list the fight on Mr McAllister or Mr Djarbeng’s records.”
Lee McAllister’s Boxranking Record including May 2021 WBO Championship fight result
“Boxrec’s refusal to update Mr McAllister’s and Mr Djarbeng’s records with the WBO title included is in violation of the ABC’s Official Record Keeper Criteria Rule 15. “Boxing Officials Registry for world title bouts sanctioned by the International Boxing Federation (IBF), World Boxing Association (WBA), World Boxing Council (WBC) and the World Boxing Organization (WBO).””
“The whole issue of Boxrec is insane, the Association of Professional Boxing Commissions (APBC), of which I am currently the Chairman, has recently been undertaking research ahead of deciding who should be appointed as the APBC Official Record Keeper for 2021/23.”
“During this period of research the APBC has received close to a thousand cases of Boxrec failings and wrongdoings from every corner of the globe, everything from faked records to entire events removed without reason and of course many instances of records failing to be updated as well as failing to list commissions or add or update their fighters records.”
“Yet in the same period the APBC have not received a single case or complaint against Pro Boxing Records (Formerly Fight Fax), other than cannot view records on-line, or against BoxRanking.com, other than only features current active boxers, which of course is a minor factor with regard to accurate records being available for matching etc, and not all commissions yet submit results to them, again only a minor factor and one I am sure will change in the near future.”
“Luckily for our beloved sport there are these two further official record keepers; Pro Boxing Records (formerly Fight Fax, official professional boxing record keeper since 1984) which unfortunately doesn’t list the results on-line, although believe that will change soon, and Boxranking.com, which is a very recent addition to the Record Keeping domain so currently only lists recent and active fighters results.”
“Both PBR/Fight Fax and Boxranking only accept results from Commissions so their record keeping tend to be 100% accurate, unlike Boxrec which is only 60-65% accurate and dropping fast due to their failing to update quite a few results as well as listing fake results from non-commission sources.”
“It’s a crazy situation that Boxrec can have such a dominant and extremely important role in our beloved sport when they act the way they do, it’s not just my view either, besides the obvious, such as those that have been wronged, one former ABC President Greg Sirb e.mailed current ABC President Mike Mazzulli stating “I have become increasingly frustrated by the way Boxrec (Marina) has single handedly decided what fight results shall be included in the ABC database. Boxrec like Fight Fax is a record Keeper, that is it, they are not a commission, Boxrec does not decide what is a good result and what is not, the fact is that if a boxing result comes in from a commission (anywhere in the World) that result must be posted.””
“Following conversations between myself and Mike Mazzulli back in 2016, shortly after the ABC appointed Boxrec as co-Official Records Keeper with long time appointee Fight Fax, Mike sent an e.mail to both Boxrec and FightFax with the heading “Boxrec – details of record manipulation and failure to list events or update records.” In which he wrote; “In an effort to resolve this issue, all ABC Boxing Record Keepers will actively recognise and record all pro boxing contest for all commissions (including those in the United Kingdom) that are sent in by those Boxing Commissions that are recognised by the ABC.””
“Mr Mazzulli probably should just have said that Boxrec needed to comply to the ABC’s Official Record Keeper Criteria Rule 14: which states “Records must be kept on ALL boxers, United States, Canadian, European, Asian, Mexican, and South American to ensure Boxrec understood that it is a term of appointment as ABC Official Record Keeper.””
“Either way you would have thought that Mr Mazzulli’s instructions were clear enough, yet Boxrec continued to ignore the ABC edict and continues to do so even today, and something I am sure they will continue to do until someone dies because of their actions, or is that lack of action”
“That may sound a bit dramatic and I really hope never happens, but think about it Ben McGivern is an experienced big punching Championship winning fighter who had fought professionally eight times yet is listed by Boxrec as a debut when he fought on Saturday, what if they do the same with another fighter of an even higher calibre and he ‘debuts’ according to Boxrec and faces an inexperienced but game fighter.”
Mr Di Caro has highlighted the situation in the United Kingdom, but this is not just a UK issue, not by a long shot. There are similar issues being highlighted in the media in the Middle East, Europe, Africa and South America on virtually a weekly basis, which lead to the conclusion that Boxrec fail in spectacular fashion at its main role within the sport RECORD KEEPING, but what can be done about it.
The simple answer is nothing, zero, zilch, as the organisations that provide them with Official Record Keeper status, such as the Association of Professional Boxing Commissions (ABC), Championship organisations World Boxing Council (WBC) and the European Boxing Union (EBU) and of course the British Boxing Board of Control (BBBofC), just don’t seem to care, probably because it suits these organisations right now, as they hold the dominant positions within their particular sectors within the sport.
The ABC, which represents North American Commissions, has been provided details of many Boxrec failings and wrongdoings, in a recent case Brian Dunn, the recently retiring ABC President, said this “I am sorry to hear about this situation. Unfortunately, I am afraid there is nothing I can do to help resolve it. Boxrec is the official record keeper of the ABC, but they are also a private company, not even based in the United States.
I’ll admit to not really understanding how boxing “commissions” work internationally, as it is much different than in the US (and other international ABC member commissions). After many conversations with John and Marina, they do understand the situation and they only record what they deem to be accurate”.
In my view this reply raises more questions than answers, to actually state that he, an actual Commissioner as well as President of the Association of Boxing Commissions, does not know how other commissions operate but John and Marina Shephard do is unbelievable, neither of these people have held roles within a commission and as such neither could possibly know even the basics.
I am utterly flabbergasted by Brian Dunn saying and clearly accepting, “they only record what they deem to be accurate”. Is even crazier as that is not the role of Record Keeper, their role is to record results of Professional Boxing Contests not be judge and jury on which commissions, championships, promoters results are deemed to be legitimate, and should they be given such power to the detriment of boxers themselves.
The BBBofC appears to work maybe a little too closely with Boxrec, possibly in an attempt to maintain a close to 90 year monopoly of Professional Boxing in the United Kingdom, that was until the British & Irish Boxing Authority (BIBA) launched in 2016.
The BBBofC also have a highly unusual and without doubt unique arrangement with the WBC, they are the only commission that has a standalone affiliation, one that is the same as a Continental Association of Commissions, such as the African Boxing Union (ABU), the European Boxing Union (EBU) etc and as such should any European or UK commission wish to become a member of the WBC, they must first affiliate with the BBBofC and/or the EBU according to WBC Secretary General Robert Lenhardt.
Another interesting fact is that the former President, and current Chairman of the BBBofC, Mr Charles Giles is not only a Vice President of the WBC but also the EBU.
The BBBofC has the largest amount of votes of all commissions within the EBU, in 2012 they had 134 votes, whilst the BDB 34 and the next highest Swiss Boxing has 24 votes, all other members had between 1-5 votes per commission, this exceptionally large disparage enables the BBBofC to dictate actions within the EBU.
An example of the BBBofC’s incredible power within the EBU is the expulsion of the Luxembourg Boxing Federation (LBF) from the Championship organisation in 2012, following the LBF sanctioning Haye vs Chisora at Upton Park in London, UK in July that year and even possibly the expulsion of the Malta Boxing Commission (MBC) some months later, as the MBC licensed most of the undercard fighters on the Haye-Chisora bill, as well as vocally supported the LBF at the EBU Convention in Bruges, Belgium in 2012.
Have to admit, a pattern seems to be emerging here, one that requires some serious research for a follow up article in the near future.
BIBA COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS UPDATE – GUIDELINES FOR RETURN TO SPARRING & COMPETITION
The British & Irish Boxing Authority (BIBA) Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Professor M.R. Graham MBChB; JCPTGP; PhD; FRSM; MPhysoc; BASEM; MICR; MCSFS; PCCMH; APIL Expert; FSB issued the following guidelines in order that Professional Boxers and Elite Amateur Boxers may return to Training, Sparring and Ultimately Competition.
PLEASE NOTE: That from last week (June 4th) that Professional and Elite Amateur Boxers have been able to return to training, and from this Saturday (June 13th) Sparring may resume if the following guidelines are strictly adhered to.
PLEASE NOTE 2: These guidelines relate to ENGLAND only currently, updates will be issued only once the guidelines for WALES, IRELAND, NORTHERN IRELAND & SCOTLAND are updated by the relevant Sports Ministry.
British & Irish Boxing Authority’s (BIBA’s) MANDATE on return to Boxing Training & Sparring for Professional Competition during the COVID-19 pandemic
BIBA Medical Officers and Scientists only provide credible SCIENTIFIC information
BIBA provides the following MANDATE for Boxers, Trainers and Affiliates considering returning to Boxing Training & Sparring for Professional Competition.
All Boxers, Trainers and Affiliates should continue to follow rational scientific advice relating to the COVID-19 pandemic.
All Affiliates should adhere to unprejudiced scientific Government rules on social distancing when travelling to and from the training venue.
Training can take place in any formerly approved gymnasium.
Do not attend any designated training areas, if you have had any symptoms of an upper or lower respiratory tract infection in the previous fourteen (14) days: A Cough, of any description, in the previous fourteen (14) days requires a valid severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Antibody Test by BIBA Medical Officials.
All personal Boxing equipment, clothing and refreshment containers must not be shared. All equipment must be cleaned with soap and water after use.
BIBA advises that trainers use appropriate face masks, and disposable gloves.
British & Irish Boxing Authority’s (BIBA’s) MANDATE for Professional Competition during the COVID-19 pandemic
BIBA provides the following MANDATE for Boxers, Trainers and Affiliates considering returning to Professional Competition
All Affiliates should adhere to unprejudiced scientific Government rules on social distancing when travelling to and from the competition venue.
Do not attend the competition venue, if you have had any symptoms of an upper or lower respiratory tract infection in the previous fourteen (14) days, unless approved by BIBA Medical Officials and have had a valid severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Antibody Test conducted by BIBA Medical Official.
All Boxers, Trainers, Affiliates and attendees, require a valid severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Antibody Test conducted by BIBA Medical Officials, prior to entrance at the competition venue.
British & Irish Boxing Authority (BIBA) Guidelines on Returning to Training
PLEASE NOTE: THIS APPLIES ONLY TO ENGLAND AT THIS TIME, UPDATES WILL BE ISSUED ONCE THE SCOTTISH, WELSH, IRISH AND NORTHERN IRELAND REGIONAL GOVERNMENTS ANNOUNCE SIMILAR RELAXATION OF THE CURRENT RESTRICTIONS.
Following the United Kingdom Governments recent announcement of the relaxing of restrictions following the COVID-19 Pandemic, means that Professional Boxers and Elite Amateur Boxers may return to training from THURSDAY 4TH JUNE in England if adhering to the following guidelines.
All license holders must adhere to the Government guidelines on social distancing when traveling to and from the training venue. This means maintaining a two metre space between yourself and any other person.
We also advise wearing of face-mask (or any other method of covering mouth and nose) and surgical gloves if travelling on Public Transport and hand sanitise or wash hands for twenty seconds once arrived at the venue.
On arrival at the training facility it is advised that the temperature of the boxer is monitored by a hand held non-invasive thermometer.
If a known or suspected case of COVID-19 is identified the individual in question should self-isolate and follow the Governments Public Health Guidelines.
If possible undertake training in an outside space. If it is impossible to train outdoors please ensure the training area has good ventilation.
BIBA Affiliated Gyms should be sanitised prior to the resumption of training of Boxers.
Whilst training, whether outside or in the gym, please maintain social distancing and ensure that you sanitise or wash your hands for twenty seconds following training.
All license holders must use their own gloves and equipment, DO NOT SHARE. If using gym equipment please wipe down with sanitiser before and after use. Keep a clean towel and water bottle in a separate bag, keep these items close to yourself and do not share with anyone else.
There will be times, such as undertaking pad-work, where the two metre distance cannot be adhered to. In this situation it is advised that the coach should wear personal protection equipment, such as fluid resistant face mask, full face visor and disposable surgical gloves.
Sparring is not recommended or authorised at this time.
PLEASE NOTE: Current UK Government Guidelines state that subject to the R figure continuing to come down that sparring may resume from Saturday 13th June in England. Further guidelines will be issued by the British & Irish Boxing Authority by the 10th June should this be the case.
BIBA COVID-19 TEAM MEMBER CONTACTS:
Professor Michael Graham – Chief Medical Officer (CMO) & COVID-19 Officer
Tel: 07828 575140
Martin Rogan – All Ireland Chairman and main contact for Ireland
Tel: 07850 551795
Ian Longstaff – Chairman (Scotland) and main contact for Scotland
Tel: 07834 175700
Ken Coughlin – Vice Chairman (Wales) and main contact for Wales
Tel: 07824 611382
Gianluca Di Caro – Vice President and main contact for England
Tel: 07789 364702
Lee Murtagh – Head of Ring Officials and main contact for ALL ring officials
Tel: 07793 240535
Professor M.R. Graham MBChB; JCPTGP; PhD; FRSM; MPhysoc; BASEM; MICR; MCSFS; PCCMH; APIL Expert; FSB
Martin ‘Rogie’ Rogan Appointed to the BIBA Board as All Ireland Chairman.
The British & Irish Boxing Authority (BIBA) announced earlier today that former Heavyweight star Martin ‘Rogie’ Rogan has been appointed the All Ireland Chairman, as well as joins the main board of the burgeoning organisation.
Rogie had a stellar career that see him not only add some big scalps to his belt but also achieved Tournament and Championship success.
In April 2008 Rogan won the Matchroom Boxing ‘Prizefighter’ Heavyweight Tournament, after beating Alex Ibbs in the Quarter Final by second round TKO. In the Semi-Final Rogie conclusively out pointed David Ferguson and earned his place in the final, where he beat David Dolan by unanimous decision to lift the coveted Prizefighter Trophy.
Eight months later Rogie beat former Olympic Gold Medallist Audley Harrison in a non-championship contest, which was main support for Amir Khan versus Oisin Fagan World Boxing Association (WBA) International Championship at the ExCel Arena in London.
Just two months later Rogie won the Commonwealth (British Empire) Heavyweight Crown with an eleventh round stoppage victory over Matt Skelton.
In 2012 Rogie challenged for the Irish Heavyweight Crown at the Odyssey Arena Belfast, against none other than current unbeaten World Boxing Council (WBC) World Heavyweight Champion Tyson Fury.
Speaking from his home in Belfast, Rogie said;
“It’s a true honour to have been appointed Chairman of All Ireland for the British & Irish Boxing Authority.
“My role is multi-faceted and covers everything from rules and regulations, health & safety, licensing etc but personally I am really looking forward to actively working with BIBA’s fighters as well as encouraging more to join us.
“As such I look forward to positively representing both the fighters and BIBA as we drive forward doing greater and better things for boxing and giving fighters from all over Ireland a platform to shine on.”
With regard to the United Kingdom’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s statement on Monday, regarding possible changes to the current regulations with regard to the COVID-19.
Today I am writing stating the British & Irish Boxing Authority position with regard to these possible changes, especially those relating to sporting events.
We urge everyone who can work from home to continue to do so, only those whose jobs are deemed essential or working within the manufacturing sector etc should be traveling to work.
According to Government guidelines Gyms are NOT deemed essential at this point, though state that gyms may be able to reopen in July, so I urge people to be responsible and maintain the current rules regarding exercise.
The same applies to travel, if you can avoid public transport please do – Drive, Bike or Walk if you need to go out, and those that have no option but travel on public transport please cover your face and nose and wear surgical gloves – and most importantly WASH YOUR HANDS properly for a minimum of twenty seconds regularly and carry/use hand sanitiser.
The Government plan with regard to ‘Behind Closed Doors’ events is currently stating possibly from June 1st 2020, subject to infection and death levels continuing to be on the downward curve.
We already have the venue sorted for the first event, which is a hotel so all in attendance will be contained within a single location.
We have doctors, paramedics and specialist medics arranged as well as private ambulances and even an Air Ambulance in case we are unable to use the local NHS hospital and we need to transfer any head trauma cases to a private neurology facility within 40 minutes flight time.
All ‘behind closed doors’ events will be limited to a maximum of FIVE (5) contests per event and limited to a maximum of SIX (6) rounds.
The only officials in attendance at an event will be the Referee, Supervisor and Time Keeper.
Officials level may be reduced further when possible to just Referee and Supervisor, in the cases where the Supervisor is also a qualified Time Keeper.
PPE will be worn throughout the event by the ringside officials and others in attendance and the Referee must wear a mask and surgical gloves when officiating a contest.
It should also be noted that we will be limiting the level of corner men to TWO (2) maximum per Boxer, Cornermen will be required to wear full PPE throughout the contest.
Also please note: That standard spit buckets will not be allowed, instead we recommend two enclosed containers along with funnel and tube. Once a contest is concluded and prior to next contest the container will be sealed and the tube and funnel disinfected before reuse.
Each competing boxer will be required to wear a surgical-mask which may only be removed once he or she has entered the ring.
There will be FULL Personal Protection Equipment as well as hand sanitiser available for all in attendance at the events and we will be undertaking testing ahead of the events for all people taking part as well as regular taking of temperatures of those in attendance at the venue.
Rapid result testing will be undertaken at the venue, Professor Graham provides information regarding testing below.
HOWEVER whilst the plan is in place for ‘behind closed doors’ events for TV for when the restrictions are lifted, provisionally from 1st June, we cannot see these taking place, even with the precautionary practices we have applied during the COVID-19 pandemic, before mid to late June 2020 and possibly later as the BIBA policy for ‘getting back to business’ is that until the infection and death rates are drastically reduced the British & Irish Boxing Authority will NOT even consider giving permission for these events to go ahead, in order to protect the NHS as well as those participating at the events.
Our reasoning for this is whilst infection and death rates are lower than those even just one week ago, both the infection and death rates in the past week are still too high to safely consider returning to business as normal.
Myself personally will be continuing to observe the long standing ‘Stay at Home’ and ‘Social Distancing’ advice and urge all BIBA members to do the same wherever possible.
I will now hand over to the British & Irish Boxing Authority’s Chief Medical Officer Professor Michael Graham to discuss testing, this includes pre all events.
Professor M.R. Graham MBChB; JCPTGP; PhD; FRSM; MPhysoc; BASEM; MICR; MCSFS; PCCMH; APIL Expert; FSB
Chief Medical Officer (CMO)
British & Irish Boxing Authority (BIBA)
Testing will be mandatory for everyone in attendance at an event.
BIBA are fully qualified to provide the Corona Virus tests to determine immune status and infection status at the next available contest on all Boxers and associated coaching and training staff and attendees.
BIBA has accredited Forensic Scientists, to conduct SARS-Co V-2, (COVID-19) Antibody Tests, using the BioMedomics COVID-19 IgM/IgG Rapid Test Kits.
The testing kits are manufactured by BioMedomics and distributed by Oxford Biosystems and are MHRA, EU and FDA accredited testing kits available in the UK.
The tests can be conducted at any residence or venue.
