The decision, unanimously agreed by the sport's world governing body executive committee, is believed to be as a result of Sport England's input in the development of ABAE's new constitution and the blocking of World Series of Boxing (WSB) fighters from competing at national events.

"The executive committee also referred the matter to the AIBA disciplinary commission for its further investigation and decisions regarding the future of ABAE within AIBA," read an AIBA statement.

"The provisional suspension prohibits the participation of all ABAE boxers, coaches, officials in future AIBA and confederation competitions."

At worst, the ban could see the nation's top amateur boxers barred from the World Championships taking place in Kazakhstan in October, however, insidethegames understands that ABAE President Richard Caborn is confident that the issues will be dealt with quickly and the suspension will only be temporary.

"This is a provisional suspension pending the decision of an AIBA Disciplinary Council," explained an ABAE spokesman.

"We will be contacting AIBA immediately, in relation to the concerns it has raised, and we are confident that the ABAE will be able to provide the international governing body with the necessary reassurances to ensure this provisional suspension is lifted.

"We believe this situation can be addressed speedily and we are certain that it will not in any way impact on the participation of English boxers in this year's World Championships or any major international tournaments in 2014."

Britain's Sports Minister Hugh Robertson admitted the move was disappointing and insisted that boxing needs "to get its governance reformed".

"This is very disappointing news," he told insidethegames.

"Boxing was one of the great successes of London 2012 but instead of using that platform to grow and promote the sport, boxing has descended into pointless, destructive in fighting.

"It needs to get its governance reformed and concentrate on backing its elite athletes who, under Rob McCracken, have done the sport and this country proud."

The ABAE announcement came as the Cameroonian national federation was also hit with a provisional suspension.

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