Alexander Zammit

President, Malta Boxing Commission

The boxing article which appeared recently in The Malta Independent on Sunday (16 October – Scott Dixon interviewed) is interlaced with fabrications and misleading information.

First of all the ‘Scottish Boxing Federation’ does not exist – all legitimate professional boxers in the United Kingdom are licensed by the British Boxing Board of Control (BBBofC) and presently there are two Maltese boxers licenced in the UK – Steve Martin who is mentioned in the article, and Daniel Micallef.

Dixon talks about sides not agreeing on several issues. The Malta Boxing Commission (MBC) makes it absolutely clear that there are no points on which to agree or disagree about. Dixon organises unsanctioned boxing and represents no recognised boxing organisation.

On the other hand the MBC is affiliated (as the BBBof C) with the European Boxing Union (EBU) which is the European arm of the World Boxing Council (WBC) and licences issued by the MBC are recognised worldwide.

Sanctioning bodies are there to give legitimacy to the sport on both local and international level and to ensure that safety regulations and the well being of the boxer are observed at all times.

The present position of the MBC regarding Dixon is that since at the moment he is facing some very serious drug related charges (National boxing coach charged over record cannabis haul / The Malta Independent on 10 October 2009) and until his present situation is resolved, the MBC cannot even consider issuing him with either a trainer’s or official’s licence.

As a matter of fact Dixon is at the present time not in possession of a valid trainer’s licence from any recognised boxing organisation, locally or abroad.

Another important point that has to be mentioned and pointed out to Dixon and the Maltese sporting public is that the MBC does not police boxing in the Maltese Islands. The MBC is there to promote and give a service to those who wish to practice boxing within a legal boxing organisation and expand their horizons beyond the limits of our shores.