I am a proud volunteer amateur boxing coach who is greatly concerned about the disadvantage this law puts our amateur boxers, especially ages 8-17. As a young trainer and someone who has worked in education, I have seen how boxing has had a positive impact on the youth in general and the at risk. Speaking on a personal level, boxing for me when I was child gave me a confidence and discipline that carries me to this day. With this I fear that this law will not only cripple and even abolish our sport unfairly, but this will also hurt our youth who have sacrificed great efforts just to compete in their own state. Boxing is the second oldest Olympic sport; and we should put our young men and women in a position where they have to travel across to other states just to participate. Let’s also not in the process potentially hurt kids who do not have means to adhere to these new laws and those who do not participate in the mainstream sports. Below are some highlights of why Boxing should be excluded from this new law.

1. The DPOR has no Amateur Boxing rules or regulations at all. It is not possible and completely unnecessary for Amateur Boxing to continue under Professional Boxing Rules; considering USA Boxing is a Nationally recognized Sanctioning Body.
2. Why is boxing singled out unlike other sports such as Football, Wrestling, Basketball, etc. All of these sports have cuts, scrapes, and major injuries that are even worse in some cases than boxing.
3. There is no profit made from amateur boxing. As mentioned earlier most of us in this sport are volunteers and for the community first. The added costs associated with this law would more than likely end Amateur Boxing in our great state.

The Amateur Boxing programs have over the years allowed us to save young people; as well teach a mental discipline that is not matched by any other sport. Our VA programs have sent boxers all over the map domestically and internationally; and even the Olympics where we have won Gold. If this the law is not repealed or Amateur Boxing is not EXCLUDED, then we will more than likely lose Amateur boxing in VA. I strongly urge you to reconsider this new law and allow Amateur Boxing continue in Virginia as a local boxing committee USA BOXING to be our governing body.

I respectfully send these comments and concerns,

Colby Smith/ Gator Boxing Club