AIBA makes popular rule change for coaches

Leroy Brown, Gleaner Writer

BAKU, Azerbijan:

The International Boxing Association (AIBA) has made a rule change regarding coaching a boxer during a bout, that has made both coaches and referees happy.

Under the rules that existed up to a few days ago, coaches were not allowed to give instructions to their boxers during competition.

Referees were assigned the responsibiity to enforce this rule and boxing fans would have in the past noticed referees signalling to corner men to keep quiet during the bout.

Those who disobeyed would be cautioned, then warned, and even removed from the corner for infringements.

What AIBA has approved, starting with the World Championships currently taking place in Baku, Azerbaijan, is that a limited amount of coaching will be allowed during the round. It must not, however, be constant and coaches cannot be too loud in relaying instructions to their boxers.

AIBA has also ruled that the designated area for coaches to stay during a contest must be clearly marked and they have been pushed back to approximnately six feet from the ring.

Referees will also no longer be the ones monitoring ringside coaching.

This duty is now assigned to the competition jury that sits close to the ring.

One member of the panel of jurors has the responsibility to listen to what is happening at ringside - between boxer and coach - during the contest and if necessary, take corrective action, which can still be removal from ringside for serious offenders.

Removing the enforcement reponsibility for this revised rule from referees, AIBA has stated, will provide less distractions for them and allow them to focus only on what is happening inside the ring.

The rule change has been applauded by both coaches and referees here in Baku and some coaches who have become too enthusiastic in their use of the new privilege have been sternly reminded by jury members that there are still some guidelines that must be obeyed.