BOXING is no longer recognised as a glorious sport or as respected with the negativity still experienced from within our society, writes Chris Rattenbury of Kings Boxing Academy.

Amateur boxing all over the country is being subjected to discrimination and disrepute within our communities.  Unlike football, rugby or even karate, grass-roots amateur boxing is often frowned upon and is not accepted by many citizens who would normally be supportive of almost every other sport.

This attitude and mindset does not allow local sports stars to develop or achieve their dreams and aspirations.  

Boxing is a highly prized Olympic sport which is a prestigious event where Great Britain’s elite athletes compete at World level to proudly compete to win medals for our country. These young athletes often become professional boxers and recognised as household names such as Lennox Lewis, Anthony Joshua, Nicola Adams and Amir Khan to name a few; all highly respected sports personalities who committed their lives to their training and gruelling years of competing. 

Kingsteignton-based Kings Boxing Academy’s Finn Addiscott (right) throws a left hook at his opponenet during a bout in Weymouth in January.
Kingsteignton-based Kings Boxing Academy’s Finn Addiscott (right) throws a left hook at his opponenet during a bout in Weymouth in January. (Picture contributed)

Amateur boxing is nationally recognised by the exam boards of Great Britain, which plays a part of the GCSE assessment and evidence to a successful pass. Competing in a boxing contest for a 15 or 16-year-old is compulsory to achieve the grades needed to gain their qualifications.  

At present, students are struggling to produce their video evidence in the West Country due to lack of opportunities and discrimination against competitive boxing denying their ethical rights to complete their GCSE evidence which requires three sports to qualify. 

Also boxing is recognised by the Duke of Edinburgh Awards and plays a vital part of the criteria and volunteering section.  Boxing clubs supporting this provide support and encourage achievements which adds to employability skills, CVs and entry to the military or public services. 

Young people attending any recognised amateur boxing club that is sanctioned under a UK governing body will be fully committed to their training, healthy and employable. These athletes are empowered by their coaches to be respectful as part of this admirable involvement with a sport that brings out the best in their members.  

Grass-roots amateur boxing clubs affiliated to a governing body are run by dedicated and fully vetted unpaid volunteers giving their free time to the sport.  Each boxer will have many attributes embedded from this and will be recognised as decent citizens by their families, friends and associates.  

Therefore, it bewilders supporters, coaches, boxers and officials as to why they are struggling to be allowed the opportunities to compete in their local area due to venues dismissing sanctioned boxing as a sport.  

To keep any sports club viable and to continue to remain open which keeps young people active and off the streets in a positive environment they must provide opportunities to compete which in turn helps support revenue. Competing at a sanctioned boxing event should see the same opportunities and support as any other sport and not be looked upon as barbaric or potential trouble. Many venues are reluctant to host a grass-roots boxing events which does not promote our local boxers or clubs.

There have been incidences of crowd trouble which are related to unlicensed white-collar boxing events to which amateur boxing is often stigmatised with the same tarnished brush. This situation has hindered amateur boxing more than promoting it which are both very different activities. 

Anywhere that serves alcohol and attracts a larger group of people may see some form of trouble even a wedding or birthday may present its dramas after a few bevvies.  Amateur boxing does not promote or want to attract such occurrences, people are to blame not the sport. 

Local businesses, venues and even local authorities are falling short of supporting and encouraging a healthy sporting lifestyle by not allowing grass-roots boxing to be staged.  

This has seen traditional venues which would welcome sporting events such as this who are now turning their backs on supporting a credible sport.  Venues such as Torquay town hall which is totally under-utilised due to not staging such events.  

England Boxing clubs in the area who promote and host events are asking for support to welcome sanctioned amateur boxing clubs who are not associated with unlicensed boxing events. Grass-roots boxing does not wish to have the stigma attached that people are pinning to affiliated clubs recognised by Sport England.

Fair play for sport, please allow these clubs to host events which is essential for our sporting community - a positive reminder that champions are born in these gyms!