Expert: Melanie Ley - 5/13/2010

Question
I am a coach of an amatuer boxing team, recentley we participated in our association tournament in which two of my boxers were unopposed (16 yo female 7 bouts, 15 yo male 5 bouts). now I was told they would advance to the regional tournament and they are again unnopossed! Now my assosiaction JO chairman and registration chair are telling me they can't go to the nationals. Why do the kids get punished because they are no other boxers in their weight class? and why Does USA boxing only require 5 bouts but my association says no?

Answer
If you are talking about your Association Junior Olympic tournament, there is no reason that they can't go to the Championships unless your LBC doesn't want to pay their way.  As long as they weighed in at the District and Regional tournaments they qualify to advance to the national tournament.  The USA Boxing rules are "must be a citizen and must have 5 scored bouts in their passbook."  Your LBC is breaking the rules if they aren't following either rule.  I would definitely contact USA Boxing in Colorado and tell them about your 15 and 16 year olds.  Your LBC can't deny them the right to participate.  Let me know what happens.  You can also email me at mel@amateurboxing.com.