Doherty decision shocks IABA

PART of a letter in which Harry Doherty announced his shock resignation from the central council of the Irish Amateur Boxing Association was read at yesterday's IABA meeting.

The association secretary, Joe Kirwan, said that on legal advice he could not read other parts of Doherty's letter.

Ulsterman Doherty, a top figure in the sport, claimed that the association's problems were not being addressed.

The council gave unanimous approval to a proposal to put forward three additional, high-profile names, drawn from the public sector, as new trustees.

Breandan O Conaire, the acting president in the continued absence of Nick White, who was defeated in a vote of no confidence, said that the vote on the additional trustees is the beginning of a process to solve the association's problems. Ulster president Pat McCrory seconded the proposal.

Doherty, also secretary of the association's finance committee, is to be approached in the hope that he will reconsider his decision.

Meanwhile, Philomena Sutcliffe, chairwoman of the special committee set up to look after women's boxing, presented a list of 16 rules that would govern the sport under the authority of the EABA (the European governing body) and the AIBA (the world body).

Sparring or boxing between males and females would be forbidden. Rule two, dealing with the apparel for women boxers in the ring, states: "Boxers must wear a well-fitted breast protector, not interfering with the boxer's ability to compete."

The European controlling body are due to meet at the end of the month to discuss the proposed regulations and the IABA will make its final decision on all proposals for women's boxing on February 8th.

A survey on the state of the sport in Ireland presented by IABA vice president Jim Hunt highlights the need for a national administrator within the association to coordinate boxing at all levels.