Boxing Chief Seeks to Draw Line in the Sand

(ATR) Embattled International Boxing Association president CK Wu says the actions of boxing executives seeking to remove him from office are "unforgivable".

"I want to underline how regrettable this situation has been both for AIBA and for our 202 member National Federations who have become caught up in the so-called IMC’s political maneuverings," Wu says in his first interview following a Swiss court ruling on Sept. 25 that denied the Interim Management Committee’s bid to seize control of the federation.

"I consider it unforgivable for members of the AIBA Executive Committee to use the Hamburg 2017 World Championships and AIBA as pawns in their play for power," Wu added.

Thirteen members of the AIBA Executive Committee signed a declaration following an EC meeting in Moscow July 25 that outlined the alleged financial mismanagement by president Wu and steps to remove him from office. The executives formed an Interim Management Committee and called for a motion of no confidence to be held against Wu at an Extraordinary Congress in November.

While a Swiss magistrate ruled in favor of Wu to maintain control of the federation, the motion of no confidence against him is still scheduled for Nov. 12 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Wu says these attempts to seize control of the federation have drawn attention towards infighting and away from competition and development efforts.

"But beyond Hamburg, the so-called IMC have sullied everything that we have achieved over the past 12 months to put integrity, transparency and ethics at the forefront of everything we do for the AIBA Family," Wu said.

"Despite the efforts and baseless comments of the so-called IMC, we have been able to put boxing in a much healthier position over the past 12 months."

Wu says it is now time for the AIBA executives to coalesce behind his leadership and work together to continue the development of the sport.

"There is no issue with the EC as an entity, but we need to ensure the members work for their sport rather than themselves," Wu said. "For too long now, certain members have sat back and watched boxing’s success, not been instrumental in it.

"At the same time, the so-called IMC was the result of individuals’ designs on taking over the Association. If they really believe that any short-term change now would not lead to another power struggle among egos and vested interests in a year’s time, then they will be very disappointed and, most regrettably of all, boxing and all our stakeholders will only suffer even further."

Written by Kevin Nutley

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