After reading House Bill 1228 and carefully considering the changes it will make to amateur boxing in Virginia, I am convinced that this Bill will ruin the wonderful sport of amateur boxing in Virginia. Amateur boxing cannot function under the same regulations as professional boxing and furthermore, the financial obligations set forth in the bill will make it impossible for amateur boxing clubs, which already run on extremely limited budgets, to operate.

One of the best things that has ever happened to me was getting a chance to learn to box and compete while I was completing an undergraduate degree in chemical engineering at Virginia Tech.  That experience taught me life lessons that I continue to draw upon daily.  Throughout the years, amateur boxing was and has continued to be governed across the entire country by USA boxing.  It has functioned in a safe manner, allowing young boxers to pursue their Olympic dreams.  The changes set forth in Bill 1228 will ruin amateur boxing in Virginia and rob young men and women of the opportunities I was honored to have while participating in amateur boxing.