Boxing Update: VP Suspended, Russia Keeps WC

(ATR) Moscow will remain the host of the 2007 AIBA World Championships, but AIBAs Russian vice president has been suspended, possibly a victim of mistaken identity. Meeting in Taipei last weekend, the AIBA executive committee voted to retain Moscow for the world championships after questions arose over whether the event had been properly awarded last year by former AIBA president Anwar Chowdhry. Besides Moscow not having formally bid for the championship, no contract has ever been signed for the championship. But after some discussion in Taipei and a subsequent vote, Moscow was the clear choice, 22-9 over Jeju, Korea. The world championships will be held September 15 to 30 in the the new 15,000 capacity Mytischi Arena. The event will be a qualifier for the 2008 Olympics. The move to affirm Moscow as the choice for 2007 came after AIBA suspended vice president Eduard Khusainov, who is also president of both the Russian Boxing Federation and the European Amateur Boxing Association. After accusations that may be fueled by a serious case of mistaken identity, Khusainov was gracelessly punted from the AIBA meeting last week. Information in the hands of AIBA, including an erroneous report from Around the Rings, was used to suspend Khusainov over charges that he has been convicted of terrorism activities in Russia. Documents supplied to ATR from Russia indicate that another man named Eduard Khusainov, but with a different middle name, is the individual mentioned in the AIBA evidence. The case is now being examined by the AIBA Ethics Commission, which is chaired by Swiss lawyer Francois Carrard, former director general of the IOC. Khusainov has denied the allegations and insists that AIBA has incorrect information. He is said to be threatening legal action over the debacle. Reform Panel Begins Work The AIBA reform committee headed by IOC member Gerhard Heiberg began its work this week, meeting forr three days in Taipei. We have to educate and tell the public in order to erase the misconception that surrounds boxing, says Heiberg. The Reform Committee is working to establish a framework upon which the sport may build for years to come, he said. In a statement issued at the end of the meeting, the committee says it is dedicated to an AIBA centered on the athlete, the principle of transparency, and the ideals of the Olympic Charter. The 10-member committee includes four AIBA executive committee members and six outside experts. It is supposed to complete its work in mid-2007. New Staff for AIBA As part of the drive to professionalize the operation of AIBA, Richard Baker has been named as director of media and communications for the federation. Baker, a New Zealander, has worked for FIVB and other international sport endeavors.