IABA moves to halt the flow

The Irish Amateur Boxing Association's (IABA) standing committee took its first positive step towards stemming the flow of talent to the professional ranks, in Dublin on Saturday.

The notion is that the drain will be curtailed when the young boxers realise the realities and what the professional game has to offer. An amateur-professional committee is to be set up which will act in an advisory capacity. It will consist of experts from the business sector including legal representatives.

The IABA will be working with the Irish Boxing Union (IBU) in advising boxers. Martin Power said at Saturday's meeting, a recent survey showed that only one boxer in every 100 who turns professional "makes it by earning any kind of money".

Meanwhile, teams were chosen for the upcoming match against Wales on November 11th, and multi-nations tournaments.

Ireland will also box in two matches in the US at San Jose and at a venue to be confirmed on March 11th and 14th. The match against England is fixed for Dublin on March 27th. The Scottish match is fixed for February 6th while there is also the possibility of a match against Sweden in late April or early May.

Ireland v Wales - Bantam: D McKenna (Holy Family Drogheda); Light: E McEneaney (Dealgan), Michael Hobbs (Arklow); Light-welter: M Wickham (St Patrick's), S Cowman (St Paul's, Waterford ); Welter: F Barrett (Olympic); Light-middle: T Fitzgerald (Ballyvolane); Middle: C. P. Surugie (Drimnagh), Tommy Donnelly (Mark Heagney); Light-heavy: A Sheerin (Swinford); Heavy: J Clancy (Phoenix); Super-heavy: S Reynolkds (Sligo ).

Multi-Nations - Ireland v Slovakia - November 25th-30th) - Fly: H Cunningham (Saints); Light: O Kelly (Loughglynn); Welter: C Carmichael (Holy Trinity); Middle: T Sheehan (St Michael's, Athy).

Ireland v Greece (December 10th-15th) - Bantam: B Dunne (CIE); Light: A Carlyle (Sacret Heart); Light-welter: P Stephens (CIE); Welter: T Markham (Kilfenora); Light-middle: M Lee (Oughterard).