I started as a Virginia amateur boxer in 1975 and competed in VA Amateur & Pro events.  I am presently a USA Boxing certified coach & official with Richmond VA Police Athletic League, Richmond, VA where in 2015 we had 73 USA Boxing athletes, 5 coaches & 3 officials.  The amateur boxing program has an impressing positive impact on the youth that motivates them to stay off the street, train to successful compete in amateur boxing local, state, national competitions. It encourage & motivate them to work toward goals that improves them in all aspects of life.  You must not let amateur boxing shut down in Virginia.   

The new Virginia Amateur boxing law that went into effect October 1,2015 putting Amateur boxing under VA Department of Professional and Occupational Regulations that only has professional boxing rules has tragically shut down Amateur boxing competition in VA.  The House Bill No 1228 offered 1/19/2016 will shut down & kill Amateur boxing entirely.  This law must be repealed or amended to EXEMPT Amateur boxing and HOUSE BILL NO. 1228 must not be passed.

It is no way you can make an inexperienced boxer or a boxer age 8 & learn & train under professional boxing rules.  You most certainly should not require them to Antibodies to human immunodeficiency virus; HBsAg and antibodies to virus C testing every 180 days.