On Sunday the BBBofC held a Ring Officials Seminar, in Birmingham, for all Referees, Inspectors, Council Members, Timekeepers and Area Secretaries, with around 100 attendees.

Following General Secretary, Robert W. Smith’s introduction, Head Office Medical Advisor, Neil Scott spoke, on the signs, symptoms and biomechanics of concussion. He moved on to examples of concussion in the ring and the importance of second impact syndrome, before closing on the challenges the Board face going forward and CPD.

Les Potts, Central Area Secretary, followed with a presentation on the Role of the Inspector, their responsibilities at tournaments and the importance of accurate document completion.

Following lunch, former international rugby referee, Nigel Owens MBE spoke of his early life, discrimination, mental health, and addiction and how this shaped his refereeing. He highlighted the importance of enjoying what you do, keeping emotion out of officiating and making hard decisions in the interest of the sport. Nigel also stressed how he learned to ‘park’ errors and move on. He finished with the impact that technology is having on sport.

Midlands Area Timekeeper, Jason Booth, gave a passionate speech on his role within the sport, from the application and training process, to working at the biggest tournaments in the world. He talked about the significance of good communication with the referee and being highly organised.

Les Potts returned to outline Area Council meetings and the application process for licence holders, and the attempts made to standardise the process across the country.

The final talk of the day was given by BBBofC UKAD Educator, Suzanne Potts, who outlined anti-doping and the testing procedure. She updated officials on the Board’s implementation programme and how Officials can help with this by directing licence holders to the 100% me Clean Sport App, Global Dro and Informed Sport websites.

Boxer of the Year: Chantelle Cameron, Chris Billam-Smith, Joe Cordina, Nathan Heaney, Leigh Wood

Contest of the Year : Artur Beterbiev v Anthony Yarde, Joe Cordina v Shavkat Rakhimov, Leigh Wood v Josh Warrington, Sam Gilley v Louis Greene, Jack Martin v CJ Challenger

This year’s ‘Undisputed’ BBBofC Awards Awards will take place on Sunday 17th March 2024. Tickets are still available at £140 per head/£1300 for a table of 10 and can be booked on matt@bbbofc.com. Other packages are available as follows: - Gold - £2200, to include a table of 10 in a premium location and an advert in the afternoon's programme. - Silver - £1700, for a table in a preferred location.

The World Anti-Doping Agency’s 2024 Prohibited List comes into effect on 1 January 2024.

We are getting in touch to make you aware that the 2024 Prohibited List has been released by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and it will come into effect on 1 January 2024.

• The 2024 Prohibited List is available on the WADA website https://www.wada-ama.org/en/news/wada-publishes-2024-prohibited-list. The Prohibited List identifies which substances and methods are prohibited at all times, in-competition only, and within specific sports

• All Athletes and Athlete Support Personnel should familiarise themselves with the new changes in advance of them coming into effect on 1 January 2024

• UKAD has also published a summary of the major changes on the UKAD website https://www.ukad.org.uk/news/2024-prohibited-list-summary-changes

• Tramadol will be prohibited in-competition. Athletes who may be using tramadol are reminded to speak to their doctor about seeking alternative pain medication that is permitted in sport. More information can be found https://www.ukad.org.uk/news/reminder-about-status-tramadol-2024-wada-prohibited-list

• Be aware of Strict Liability – an athlete is solely responsible for any banned substance they use, attempt to use, or that is found in their system, regardless of how it got there and whether or not they had an intention to cheat

If you have any questions on the Prohibited List or a medication you may be using, please contact substance@ukad.org.uk.

After a busy autumn period we have had 79 successful tournaments in all areas. We finished the year on 281 tournaments for 2023. I am sure 2024 will be equally as busy in all areas. We will of course be celebrating 2023’s achievements at the ‘Undisputed’ BBBofC Awards on Sunday 17th March. For more information on tickets/further details email matt@bbbofc.com.

In October, Marcel Braithwaite’s win over Ijaz Ahmed meant all British title divsions were filled for the first time in many years. Lauren Price also became the first ever female British champion in 2023. Congratulations to all Champions, at every level.

In November the Area Councils held their AGM’s, it was great to see the licence holders who attended.

It was an honour to pick up the award for ‘Confederation of the Year’ at the WBC convention in Uzbekistan last month.

We welcomed Suzanne Potts to the team, who has joined the BBBofC as UKAD Educator. I am extremely pleased to have Suzanne on board in our continued endeavours to maintain Clean Sport.

Congratulations to Ricky Hatton MBE and Jane Couch MBE on being inducted to the ‘International Boxing Hall of Fame’ earlier this month.

Dr Ashwin Patel FRCS retired from his role as Honorary Medical Consultant, whose experience will be greatly missed.

Finally, the office will be closed from Friday 22nd December and will reopen on Tuesday 2nd January. I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New year.

Robert W. Smith

We would like to pass on our thanks to Dr Ashwin Patel FRCS, for his hard work and expertise, following his retirement after 37 years as a BBBofC Medical Officer with the Southern Area Council and Honorary Medical Consultant. Dr Patel FRCS was awarded BBBofC Services to Boxing in 2019 for his commitment and dedication to the sport. His experience will be greatly missed.

Robert W. Smith said: “I have worked with Ashwin since I joined the board. I'd like to thank him for all his dedication and support. I wish Ashwin a happy retirement.”