Irish Athletic Boxing Association power struggle rumbles on

The Irish Athletic Boxing Association (IABA) are in a race against time to preserve their public funding as a power struggle between two rival camps in the organisation shows no signs of dissipating.

A leaked letter from IABA president Pat Ryan to chairman Joe Christle last night revealed a number of points of contention that have created a division between the association’s hierarchy and many of its members, including figures on their Central Council.

The letter appeared on social media just hours after Sport Ireland had issued a statement insisting IABA funding for the final quarter of the year will be suspended on July 1 if the boxing association does not introduce a new Rule Book - a document that would see the High Performance Unit enjoy full autonomy in team selection and essentially dilute the influence of the IABA’s Central Council.