Boxing chiefs propose bans

Press, 5 December 1988, Page 32

Boxing chiefs propose bans

NZPA-Reuter Frankfurt, West Germany

World amateur boxing chiefs plan to ban five South Korean officials involved in a ring riot at the Seoul Olympics until 1991 and stop South Korea from hosting international events for a year.

International Amateur Boxing Association (A.1.8.A.) officials proposed the suspensions at a meeting at Frankfurt yesterday aimed at cleaning up the sport’s image after a controversial Olympic tournament. The body’s executive committee will decide whether to implement the measures when it meets in Nairobi next March. The New Zealand referee, Keith Walker, was attacked in the ring by South Korean officials and fans after a local bantamweight, Byun Jonil, lost to Bulgaria’s Alexander Hristov. The five officials were immediately barred until the March meeting but the proposed ban will keep them out of action until January 1, 1991, said A.1.8.A. officials.

“We also want to stop South Korea organising any international events during 1989,” said a West German executive committee member, Heinz Birkle.

A.1.8.A. is also drawing up a list of referees and officials who were involved in several controversial decisions in Seou.

A.1.8.A. has already barred until March three officials — two Africans and a Uruguayan — who awarded the South Korean, Park Si-hin, a disputed points win over the American, Roy Jones, in the light-middleweight final. “But those three will not be the only names on the list. There are more we are going to look at,” Mr Birkle said.

“It’s been a good meeting. We’re going to get the sport’s good image back quickly,” said A.1.8.A.’s secretary, KarlHeinz Wehr. The East German official said A.1.8.A. would also discuss in March a proposal to cut the maximum number of boxers in each weight class to 32 at the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona.

There were 429 bouts in Seoul and A.1.8.A. wants to work out a preOlympic qualifying system to reduce numbers.