THE CRISIS WE FACE

With JOHN DENNEN | @BoxingNewsJD

SEND us your club's news, results or upcoming events to john.dennen@boxingnewsonline.net or 020 7618 3478

THE greatest challenge facing the sport is the crisis affecting amateur boxing. The outlook is of profound concern. In this magazine we’ve been speaking to clubs throughout the country that have been struggling to preserve their gyms and keep operating under the coronavirus restrictions. Debates swirl about the future of professional boxing, but it’s the situation confronting those at the grassroots levels that is most alarming. The foundation of the sport in this country is amateur boxing (and if that doesn’t have a future, the pro side won’t either).

SO HOW BAD IS THE CRISIS?

It is exceptionally bad. Amateur boxers can’t even box at the moment. They can’t spar and they can’t do padwork. Clubs can open but training sessions are curtailed in terms of activity. They can only do shadowboxing, bagwork, fitness etc. while meeting social distancing requirements. This clearly reduces the numbers of boxers who can take part in training sessions. Immediately that is a loss of income for clubs. The further worry is that without normal training, like