THE future of a Holderness boxing club has been cast into doubt after an event was held to raise funds for a boy with a rare heart condition.
The Eastside Gym in Saltend has been refused affiliation to the Amateur Boxing Association of England (ABAE) after they held an event for McKenzie Kimpton.
Coach Allan Taylor said they were refused after organising an evening of boxing for the Hull four-year-old, who suffers from Alcapa, where the left heart artery is misplaced and not enough oxygen is pumped around his body.
Without acceptance to the ABAE, Mr Taylor has said there is little point carrying on the junior boxing club as it would mean their 35 boxers would be unable to fight competitors from other clubs.
An ABAE spokesman said it was unable to affiliate any club that takes part in white collar boxing events – events that offer white collar workers the chance to train to fight in specially arranged events like the charity event.
Mr Taylor said they had successfully completed a gym inspection and completely restructured their operation to separate ABAE Boxing and its coaches.
He said: "Not once have we been in breach of this rule given the fact we have never been affiliated with the ABAE.
"In order for the junior boxing section to continue to operate, they need active competition. However due to the gym's involvement in charity boxing events and shows sanctioned by the British Boxing Union, the ABAE has refused to allow the junior boxers to join.
"We have tried to negotiate and run the junior boxing section completely separate to the rest of what the gym does, however the junior boxers have been excluded.
"In my opinion, this is unethical.
"There isn't a great deal of point for a junior boxing club that cannot compete."
The boxing shows run at Haven Arms have always supported a charity and to date have raised funds for the boxing club, as well as £2,500 for charities such as Help For Heroes and McKenzie Kimpton.
An ABAE spokesman said: "Any boxing club can affiliate to the ABAE provided they abide by ABAE rules and regulations, which are in place to protect our boxers and coaches.
"White-collar boxing is prohibited under ABAE rules, so we are unable to affiliate any club that takes part in white- collar events."
