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.”

Suzanne Potts has joined the team at the BBBofC as the UKAD Educator from December. Having recently received training from UKAD’s National Trainers at Loughborough University she will now be deployed to deliver formal and structured education sessions on anti-doping to boxers, their support personnel and other licence holders.

Suzanne has been an Inspector for more than twenty years working in both the Central and Midlands areas and also became a member of the Central Area Council in 2022. Whilst she will continue with her Central Area duties she will also commence the delivery of a number of sessions aimed at helping boxers compete clean and therefore avoid falling foul of the anti-doping rule violations which can result in a four year ban from the sport.

Suzanne said of her new role “the fight against doping is something all sports must take seriously, by providing education to both boxers and their teams we aim to provide them with the tools to stay clean and protect the integrity of our sport.”

General Secretary, Robert W. Smith said, “We are extremely pleased to have Suzanne on board in our continued endeavours to maintain Clean Sport, as part of the UKAD assurance framework.”

Ian John-Lewis has withdrawn his claims of race discrimination made against the British Boxing Board of Control Limited (BBBofC) in the Employment Tribunal. The parties have reached an agreed confidential settlement to resolve their differences without any admission of liability.

The BBBofC reaffirms its commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion, and will continue to work to ensure the trust of all those involved in the sport of professional boxing. There is no place for discrimination in this sport on the grounds of any protected characteristic, and the BBBofC strives to ensure that it upholds those values at all times.

Our next Annual Awards event, sponsored by 'Undisputed', and in association with Boxing News, will be held on Sunday 17th March 2023 at the The Brewery, Chiswell Street, London commencing at 12 noon. Attendees will celebrate the achievements of boxers, and others within the sport, during 2023.

Tickets are 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: - Platinum - £3000, to include a table of 10 in a prime location, sponsorship of an Award and an advert in the afternoon's programme. - 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.