Boxing coaches left fuming over farcical scoring system

A CHAOTIC, sometimes farcical, opening day of boxing’s World Amateur Championships had several coaches, including Ireland’s Harry Hawkins fuming with organisers in Bangkok yesterday.

A scrum of coaches jostled for copies of the first-day programme just minutes before the opening bouts were due in the ring, resulting in several boxers being unprepared mentally for their fights.

The public scoring system, introduced to ensure transparency in the often-criticised judging process, broke down during the first of 64 bouts in two rings causing mayhem.