I have been President of the Virginia LBC and my term ended this year. I am writing these comments on behalf of all the boxing coaches and amateur boxers in Virginia. In 2015 there where more than 530 members in the Virginia Association of  USA Boxing Inc. Most of the individuals involved in amateur boxing are unpaid and many run non-profit gyms. Having been involved with amateur boxing for more than 40 years both as a boxer and coach I beleive my qualifications and amateur boxing experience should allow me to comment on the new law that is certain to cripple if not abolish this wonderful sport in Virginia. Amateur boxing has long proven its appeal to a large segment of our society. For sure its benifits for offering alternatitives to athletes who cannot afford or are not interested in other mainstream sports has been proven. Provided below are several of the many reasons Amateur Boxing should be exempted from this new law:

1- DPOR has no amateur boxing rules or regulations and it is impossible for amateur boxing to continue under professional boxing rules.

2- Why should amateur boxing have to adhere to rules that are not put in place for alll amateur sports ?(most all amateur sports;including basketball, football, even skatboarding etc. have scrapes and injuries that would justify these considerations).

3- There is no profit made in amatuer boxing so the added costs by the state would make it impossible for amatuer boxing to exist.

The outstanding amateur boxing programs in Virginia have provided opportunities for Virginia boxers to advance and represent the United States in the Olympics as well as other many other international amateur competitions. If this new law is not repealed or if Amateur boxing is not exempted from it I beleive amateur boxing in Virginia will not be able to continue. Please reconsider this new law and allow amateur boxing to contnue in Virginia as a local boxing committee with USA Boxing INC. as their governing organization.

  I respectfully submit these comments and if there are any questions please feel free to contact me.

   I can be reached by phone at 540-320-9898 or e-mail me @ maynardone@verizon.net.