Scottish amateur boxing in turmoil as breakaway factions form

AN open letter has been circulated by a Scottish boxing club detailing a deepening rift between grass-roots organisations and Scottish amateur boxing’s governing body, Boxing Scotland Ltd. As the spat continued, accusations of alleged misconduct flew on social media. 

The open communique, distributed by Morrie McVicar, St Francis Boxing Club’s Secretary, details the Dundee club’s strong standing as one of the oldest boxing clubs in Scotland (founded in 1958). It also outlines a long and proud association with the development of Scottish boxing, the country’s international success and the achievements of club member Dick McTaggart. 

It then explains the following:

“In terms of our volunteer coaches and officials at the club they are all covered by the necessary Protection of Vulnerable Groups and Safeguarding Certificates. Our coaches, Referee and Judges qualifications for competition boxing are in line with International Boxing Association (IBA) Standards and in line with the standards of Boxing Scotland Ltd who produced them after official examination and approval. The above PVG Certification and Safeguarding requirements are fundamental to affiliation of the new Boxing Scotland Alliance (BAS) launched in August of this year.

“Regretfully, but due to the major concerns expressed about the failings of Boxing Scotland Ltd (BSLTD) over the years in terms of Accountability, Democracy, and Good Governance and their failure to respond to ours and other affiliated clubs’ concerns, St Francis Boxing Club had no alternative to leave Boxing Scotland Ltd and join the newly formed grassroots Boxing Alliance Scotland (BAS) where around 40 clubs have now Joined to create a democratic and accountable organisation to develop grassroots boxing in Scotland. 

“Moreover, BAS has formulated an application to join IBA this has been received by IBA and we hope for a favourable outcome to become Scotland representative of the largest global federation in the world later this year. In effect, St Francis Boxing Club along with all BAS registered clubs will be governed by IBA rules in the same way as Boxing Scotland Ltd affiliates who remain with them.

“BSLTD recently tried to sabotage a boxing tournament with over a 100 mainly schools’ boys, girls, and youth novice boxers to have their first competitive bouts. They failed to stop the tournament as it went ahead on Sunday 22 September 2024 a major success with volunteer coaches, referees and judges from the whole of Scotland participating in the event and their time given freely for the sport. Given the levels of unlicenced boxing and white-collar boxing going on in Scotland and involving BSLTD affiliated clubs we can only suggest that “Hypocrisy” knows no boundaries.

“Given that the Scottish Government has agreed to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games, the question of Integrity, Accountability and Good Governance must be investigated thoroughly.”

Boxing Scotland was contacted for comment regarding this ongoing story.