The EGM, due to be held on November 24, will begin with a vote of acceptance on a new constitution, the "Articles of Association", which would extend voting right to all clubs with more than 20 members.

The Articles have been drafted in conjunction with the International Boxing Association (AIBA) following criticism of the existing ones in a Disciplinary Commission in July where they highlighted need for reform.

If passed, the new Articles would mark a departure from the existing system where voting power lies with the heads of regional associations.

The announcement of the EGM follows a lengthy dispute over the composition of the new ABAE Board which has been simmering over the last six months,

In addition to ABAE President Keith Walters, a number of these heads of the regional associations have been the foremost dissenting figures.

ABAE chairman Richard Caborn resigned over the failure to ratify the new Board after it was announced in September and last month Sport England threatened the suspension of the governing bodies funding if the proposed changes were blocked.

The EGM was initially called by opponents seeking exactly that but the vote for the new Articles will precede the one to remove the new Board.

If successful, the consequent changes to the composition of votes away from the regional associations would deem the second vote unsuccessful, it is claimed.

The boxing prospects for youngsters such as these could rest on what is decided at the EGM on November 24


The proposed updated version of the Articles of Association accepts all AIBA statutes, bylaws and technical rules for the sport, including full recognition of the World Series Boxing (WSB) and AIBA Professional Boxing (APB).

There will also be amendments to the classes and rights of membership to empower affiliated boxing clubs in "recognition of their role as the deliverers of the sport" and to create a framework to ensure and maintain future compliance.

In a similar move to governing bodies in other club-based sports, three types of affiliated membership encompassing individuals, clubs and other associations - such as regions or universities - have been proposed,

Both the associations and the clubs would receive notice of General Meetings and have the right to attend and speak at them, with clubs with over 20 members also receiving voting rights.

"The new Articles and the new Board, which both have the support of AIBA and Sport England, create a 'fit for purpose' governing body," a statement from the ABAE Board said.

"This would be compliant with the rules of international competition and more responsive to the needs and wishes of clubs, coaches and boxers at the grassroots.

"The extension of voting rights to clubs is a central part of this and aims to create a stronger framework for compliance and provide the clubs with a greater say in the running and direction of the sport in England."

Former ABAE chairman Richard Caborn and ABAE President Keith Walters sit on either side of the dispute over the formation of the new Board


The ramifications of what would happen if the Articles were rejected and the Board is not ratified have also been laid out and this could have severe negative repercussions at both elite and grassroots ends of the sport, it is claimed.

This would include the AIBA re-opening disciplinary proceedings against the ABAE, leading to the suspension of England from all international competition.

In addition Sport England, which has committed to invest over £5 million ($8 million/€6 million) in grassroots boxing over the next four years, would end its funding.

"This is an absolutely critical moment for boxing in England," said the ABAE Board statement.

"A refusal to accept modernisation and a decision to reject the new Articles will have a catastrophic effect on the sport with far reaching consequences that risk decimating boxing at the grassroots.

"It [rejecting the new Articles] will mean that boxing in England does not conform to international rules and will leave AIBA with no alternative but to suspend England for failure to comply with the same rules and regulations that all other countries around the world adhere to.

"This will have a devastating impact on the sport at all levels and mean that the people who will suffer most will be the boxers and their coaches.

"It will affect thousands of people and means that English boxers will not be able to train with or compete against a boxer from another country and will not be invited to participate in any international competitions, at any level, from schools to seniors.

"The loss of Sport England funding will be a massive blow to clubs and coaches around the country which will lose out on money that had been earmarked for coach development projects, creating competition opportunities for young boxers and upgrading clubs and facilities."

Anthony Fowler won a bronze medal at the recent World Championships in Almaty but if the current situation remains unresolved England's international future is in doubt




The vote on the new Articles will be held in the morning of the EGM, with 12 votes cast encompassing one from each of the 11 Regional Associations of the ABAE and one by the Combined Services Boxing Association.

To be accepted the new Articles require 75 per cent - nine out of 12 - of the vote.

The second resolution proposed by opponents of the new Board to remove it and prevent its ratification, is scheduled to be held later in the same day in the afternoon.