Boxing: Danes ban 'outrageous' WBO

Ken Jones
Friday 19 August 1994 23:02 BST
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

THE World Boxing Organisation, whose champions include Chris Eubank, Herbie Hide and Steve Robinson, was yesterday banned from operating in Denmark, writes Ken Jones.

This fresh blow to the faltering credibility of the WBO - outlawed by France in 1990 - follows widespread dissatisfaction with its activities. No further WBO championship contests will be allowed in Denmark, all fighters licensed by the Danish Professional Boxing Federation have been withdrawn from the WBO ratings and DPBF licence holders will not be permitted to act as judges or referees for WBO title bouts.

In announcing this, the DPBF said: 'This drastic decision has been prompted by the desire to avoid future scandals of the kind which have marred our relationships with the WBO, including the manipulation of boxers and the exploitation of managers and promoters who are obliged to agree to outrageous options terms. 'Dignity, Democracy and Honesty', the WBO's motto, are noble words and intentions but are misapplied to an organisation whose officials repeatedly abuse their supposedly unpaid position by using it as an excuse to travel the world first-class.' While the British Boxing Board remains affilated, despite some controversial decisions, so little is thought of the WBO championship ratings in the US that they are not published by the Associated Press.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in