New rules usher in AIBA’s modern era

SUBIC – Tweaking rules to adapt to modern times, AIBA president Dr. Wu Ching-Kuo announced the use of the 10-point must scoring system and the removal of headguards for elite men’s competitions starting at the AIBA World Championships in Almaty, Kazakhstan, on Oct. 11-27 as officials who supervised the Asian Youth Continental Championships here last week welcomed the changes as a step forward in taking the sport to the next level.

Dr. Wu flew to this free port zone in Zambales for the Asian Youth Championships opening ceremonies Monday last week and hinted of impending rule changes. He said the International Olympic Committee (IOC) will decide on whether or not to implement the new rules for the Rio de Janeiro Games in 2016. But as Dr. Wu is a highly-respected and influential IOC Executive Board member, it is expected that the IOC will approve the AIBA’s recommendations.

The rule changes will also extend the age eligibility for elite men and women from 19 to 40. The previous limit was 34. Dr. Wu said professional fighters who sign up for AIBA’s team-oriented World Series of Boxing (WSB) and the soon-to-be-launched AIBA Professional Boxing (APB) will be eligible to compete in the Olympics. Although only professionals with less than 15 bouts will be allowed as a general rule, Dr. Wu said AIBA is ready to make exceptions in the case of ring icons like Manny Pacquiao. At the 2016 Olympics, Pacquiao will be 37. A professional who is accredited by AIBA to compete in the Olympics will be legally restrained from ever fighting for any other promoter or organization.

ABAP executive director Ed Picson said he briefed Pacquiao on the option of participating in the Olympics last year and the only fighter to win world titles in eight divisions has filmed a video promoting the WSB in support of AIBA and Dr. Wu’s initiatives. Pacquiao, however, remains under contract with Top Rank up to the end of 2014.

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Dr. Wu said AIBA’s medical commission has closely monitored effects of fighters using no headguards in the WSB, now on its third season, and found no negative health issues. “In fact, there have been cases of fighters getting cut because of the headguards,” said Dr. Wu. “Fighters in the APB will also not use headguards and perhaps, in the Olympics with the IOC’s approval.” 

The use of the 10-point must scoring method will end the stormy era of the controversial computerized system. Under the new system, five judges are chosen but the scores of only three will be randomly selected before each bout. Scores must be transmitted to a computer within 15 seconds after a round. The criteria for scoring are the number of quality blows on target, domination, competitiveness, technique and tactical superiority and infringement of rules. A 10-9 score is given for a close round, 10-8 for a clear winner with dominance, 10-7 for total dominance and 10-6 for overmatched. A split decision is announced when two of three judges favor a fighter, regardless if the other judge scores a draw or favors another fighter. A fight may also end in a KO, TKO, technical draw, disqualification, walkover and no-contest.

Former AIBA Executive Board member and Order of Merit awardee Herbert Embuldeniya, who attended the Asian Youth Championships, said the rule removing headguards is a positive development.

“First of all, we’ve found that headguards may cause cuts as sometimes, the gear may create a skin abrasion as a result of a blow,” he said. “We’ve also found that fighters tend to be less conscious of defense with headguards, thinking they’re protected and it takes away from the beauty of defense. Headguards also may be distracting as fighters could lose focus with loose fitting. Then, there is the possibility of deliberately wetting the headguards so the Velcro doesn’t stick, giving a fighter a reason to delay.”

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Embuldeniya said Dr. Wu’s no-nonsense approach to clean up the sport augurs well for the future. “It’s a policy of no mercy,” he said. “Dr. Wu is determined to clean up boxing and preserve its integrity. The AIBA Boxing Academy in Kazakhstan will be the vehicle to standardize officiating. As it is, a referee’s decision may be somewhat influenced by his background like a former policeman may tolerate more rough stuff than others. But in two or three years with the Academy in place, we expect a standardization of officiating on a global basis. If there is still bias in officiating now, it will be eliminated. From the official’s point of view, a fighter has no nationality or reputation or name – one is from the red corner and the other from the blue corner and that’s all.”

Another possible change in the Olympic boxing program is the expansion of the women’s events from three divisions of 12 fighters each to six of eight. At the moment, women’s boxing is confined to three weight categories – flyweight (over 48 to 5l kilograms), lightweight (over 57 to 60) and welterweight (over 69 to 75). The 10 men’s divisions are lightflyweight (over 46 to 49), flyweight (over 49 to 52), bantamweight (over 52 to 56), lightweight (over 56 to 60), lightwelterweight (over 60 to 64), welterweight (over 64 to 69), middleweight (over 59 to 75), lightheavyweight (over 75 to 81), heavyweight (over 81 to 91) and superheavyweight (over 91).