BOXING IS AGAIN IN DANGER OF BEING EXCLUDED FROM THE 2020 TOKYO OLYMPICS
By Maloney L. Samaco
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 06 Sep 2018
The International Boxing Association (AIBA) is again in danger of being phased out from the 2020 Tokyo Olympics as the boxing bouts in the recently concluded Jakarta Asian Games were blemished by controversies.
Two North Korean coaches were removed by police and ousted from the Games after their lady fighter lost a disputed split decision to a Chinese. Coach Pak Chol Jun refused to leave the ring and instigated boxer Pang Chol Mi to remain behind in protest against the verdict after Chang Yuan won the gold via a 3-2 split decision. Another coach, Pak Il Nam, got into an angry tumult outside the ring as he incited the crowd to ridicule the decision.
"We are going to change the culture in AIBA," said executive director Tom Virgets.
During the 2014 Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea, Indian lightweight boxer Laishram Sarita Devire lost a very controversial semi-final bout against eventual silver medalist Park Jina of South Korea. In protest, Devire at first took her bronze medal but placed it around Park's neck during the awarding ceremony.
Also in Incheon, Mongolian boxer Nyambayaryn T?gstsogt lost another controversial decision against South Korean Ham Sang-myeong in the bantamweight category. Nyambayar remained in the ring for 5 minutes, protesting the verdict as the referees and judges were booed by the crowd.
Virgets admitted that AIBA has some issues on the competence of its referees and judges. He said that their incumbent president Gafur Rakhimov is very committed in improving the training procedure of the AIBA officials.
Amid several disagreements at AIBA, Taiwanese president CK Wu was ousted and replaced by Rakhimov of Uzbekistan as interim president. He instituted internal reforms at AIBA and submitted it to the IOC, but Bach said "the report shows some progress and goodwill but still lacks execution and substance in some areas."
Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines (ABAP) sectetary general Ed Picson told AFP "the clock is ticking" and he thinks the IOC would be justified to pull boxing out of the Olympics unless certain drastic measures are applied.
Picson questioned some decisions against Rogen Ladon losing to Jasurbek Latipov of Uzbekistan in the finals and Nesty Petecio who was defeated by China's Yin Junhua in the round of 16.
Boxing has been contested at every Olympic Games since its introduction at the 1904 Olympics, except for the 1912 Olympics in Stockholm, because Swedish law banned the sport during the time.
And it's a sad thing for us boxing fans not to witness any boxing competition at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics if the ban pushes through.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Maloney L. Samaco.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
THE RING 6: NIGHT OF THE SAMURAI PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
Fri, 26 Dec 2025THE RING 6: NIGHT OF THE SAMURAI OPEN WORKOUTS COMPLETE AS UNDISPUTED KING INOUE GETS READY FOR PICASSO CLASH IN RIYADH
Thu, 25 Dec 20253-Time, 2-Division World Champion & IBF No. 1, Mandatory Bantamweight World Title Challenger Miyo Yoshida long overdue for her 8th World title fight
Thu, 25 Dec 2025Game On! 1st Paower Pickleball Cup Ignites Action in San Fernando
By Marlon Bernardino, Thu, 25 Dec 2025Late Replacement Tellez Ready to Shock the World Against Amanda Serrano for WBA & WBO Featherweight Titles on January 3 in Puerto Rico
Wed, 24 Dec 2025The Pryce is right again!
Wed, 24 Dec 2025Postal Stamp Honoring Muhammad Ali will be present in January 15
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Wed, 24 Dec 2025O’REILLY AUTO PARTS SIGNS LONG-TERM PARTNERSHIP DEAL WITH MATCHROOM BOXING
Wed, 24 Dec 2025Isabela Chess University Wins Region 2 Chess League Title
By Marlon Bernardino, Wed, 24 Dec 2025Cristobal stops Beltran in the 6th round
By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 23 Dec 2025VENUE/DATE CHANGE: Shinard Bunch Takes on John Paul Magalong on THURSDAY, JANUARY 15TH AT THE WAR MEMORIAL IN TRENTON
Tue, 23 Dec 2025Raquinel suffers 2nd setback in SA
By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 23 Dec 2025Oakland Municipal Auditorium: Sacred Hall Where Filipino Boxing World Champions Were Crowned
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, Tue, 23 Dec 2025IBA confirms Men’s World Boxing Championships results
Tue, 23 Dec 2025Jordan Launches Pro Boxing Scene Appointing Amer Abdallah as Advisor
Tue, 23 Dec 2025