The move comes after AIBA's Executive Committee unanimously passed the motion to end the use of head guards in all of their elite men's competitions from next year at their meeting in Bangkok, Thailand.

AIBA's decision follows last year's launch of World Series Boxing (WSB) where boxers compete with out head guards or vests (pictured below).

"This 2012-2013 AIBA Executive Committee meeting was a crucial moment in the history of our sport and our organisation," said AIBA President C K Wu, also an IOC member.

"All decisions have been approved unanimously which shows the strong unity and the support that our Members are demonstrating for AIBA initiatives.

"Together we will bring boxing into a complete new era."

The meeting in Bangkok also saw plans for the AIBA Professional Boxing (APB) agreed.

AIBA's most ambitious project to date, APB will launch at the end of next year and will offer contracts to fighters that allow them to box professionally in the APB, while retaining Olympic eligibility.


Should APB prove successful, it could see AIBA create a programme that stops the best boxers joining the official professional ranks, which would concern the world's top promoters such as Don King and Oscar De La Hoya.

The APB has already secured the services of some big name boxers, including reigning amateur super heavyweight champion Magomedrasul Medzhidov of Azerbaijan, a gold medal favourite at London 2012.

"This AIBA Executive Committee meeting will remain forever the occasion when the first ever APB Technical and Competition Rules were ratified," added Wu.

"We are now just over two weeks away from the beginning of the London 2012 Olympic Games, where we will witness the historical debut of women boxing.

"Then the WSB will enter its third season before APB pre-season kicks off in January 2013."

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


Related stories
June 2012: Top-ranked boxers make history by signing up for APB programme
April 2012: AIBA President meets Bulgarian leaders to discuss new APB programme
March 2012: AIBA approve KPMG master business plan ahead of APB launch
January 2012: C K Wu - 2011 was a watershed year for AIBA, now for 2012
November 2011: AIBA unveil logo for APB as search starts for new chief operating officer