I am sorry I left my name off of the previous posting so I am posting this one to show my name

January 25, 2016 From: Sandra Sahnow VA Association USA Boxing member

Since 1888, USA Boxing, formerly known as the United States Amateur Boxing Federation has governed Amateur boxing in the U.S.  As a non-profit organization they are responsible for the administration, development and promotion of Olympic-style boxing in the United States.  The U.S. has won more Olympic boxing medals than any other country.

Virginia Local Boxing Committee (LBC) is one of 56 LBCs which are grouped into 14 geographical regions of the U.S.  These LBC’s form the backbone of USA Boxing and Olympic-style boxing and is actively fulfilling its objectives to foster, develop, promote, and coordinate recreational and competitive amateur boxing opportunities for all member athletes and supportive participants, and to supervise boxing matters as may properly come within its purview and be consistent with those of the USA Boxing Bylaws.

In 2015, USA Boxing Virginia LBC had more than 530 member athletes, coaches and officials.  USA Boxing athletes begin to participate when they are 8 years-of-age. Ages 8-16 have the opportunity to participate on local and region level. Ages 15-16 champions advance to national Junior Olympic Championships and have opportunity to participate in International events. The past 3 years Virginia LBC has sent Virginia Junior Olympic boxers to national championships.

September 2015, Virginia LBC sent 4 Boxers, 2 coaches and the VA Chief of Officials to the USA Boxing Olympic Trials II held in Philadelphia, PA.  Boxers ages 17-34 have opportunity to advance to represent Virginia and the United States of American as a boxer in the Olympics. Virginia has many boxing gyms and clubs located in all areas of the Commonwealth.  

I am a certified registered USA Boxing Virginia LBC coach and official and have served the past few years as secretary and treasurer.  I am very concerned about the future of amateur boxing in the Commonwealth of Virginia.  I am shocked to read HOUSE BILL NO. 1228 Offered January 19, 2016, and am absolutely opposed to the law that went into effect October 1, 2015.

Amateur boxing also provides opportunity for many at risk youth that are not able to participate in school or another sports recreation programs such as football, basketball and soccer.  Their participation in an amateur boxing program keeps them off the streets, reduces their chance to fall into the trap of illegal activity, and reduces crime in the area where they live.

Olympic boxing is very different than professional boxing.  The Department of Professional and Occupational Safety Regulations do not have any rules or regulations in place for amateur boxing.  There is no reasonable explanation for amateur boxing in the Commonwealth of Virginia to be mandated to abide by the Professional Boxing and Wrestling Event Regulations.

Please REPEAL or AMEND the law regulating amateur boxing events that went into effect October 1, 2015 and turn down, DO NOT PASS HOUSE BILL NO. 1228.  IF VAC citation 18 VAC 120-40, title of regulation: Professional and Wrestling Event Regulation DOES NOT EXEMPT ARMATEUR BOXING OR ACTION TAKEN TO REPEAL IT the TRAGIC RESULTS will BE NO MORE AMATEUR BOXING IN THE COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA causing a large number of individuals to become unemployed in addition to loss of tax revenue for the Commonwealth leaving an adverse effect on the already strained economic conditions in our Commonwealth.

Please APPROVE USA BOXING, INC. as the sanctioning organization for Amateur boxing in the Commonwealth of Virginia and allow this outstanding organization to continue under their present outstanding by-laws, rules, regulations, policies and procedures