IABA to remain with IBA following heated debate

The Irish Athletic Boxing Association (IABA) will be staying aligned to the International Boxing Association (IBA) after a special resolution to amend its current constitution was defeated at a tempestuous EGM in the National Stadium in Dublin today.

The special resolution, if passed, would have enabled the IABA to vote on joining the recently founded World Boxing body, which is currently seeking International Olympic Committee (IOC) recognition to run the sport globally.

This followed from the IBA's expulsion from the Olympic movement in June.

At today's EGM, a 75% majority among the IABA delegates was required for the resolution to be passed.

Of the 118 valid votes, 84 voted in favour, 24 against, the resolution falling just five votes short of the 75%.

As a result, the vote on an affiliation with the newly formed World Boxing body was unable to take place.

In a heated debate, a number of club representatives expressed concern at a perceived 'fast-track' nature of the proposed World Boxing affiliation.

Regarding the new body, many delegates expressed a fear of the unknown. Delegates spoke of their experiences within the IBA, both positive and negative.

Speaking to RTÉ Sport afterwards, IABA board member Darren O'Neill said he had favoured change but added that the members had spoken.

"We put the vote to the membership, the members have to choose. It's an IABA issue and the members have spoken.

"Personally, I would have thought the change to the constitution probably would have been the correct one [option].

"As I said, the membership have spoken. That's our job as a board. To put these resolutions to them and let them decide."

At present, 12 national federations have affiliated with World Boxing.

USA Boxing, Great Britain Boxing