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.

The early fights in one of the rings went ahead without the traditional bell signalling the start and finish of the two-minute rounds with an announcer instead declaring when each round was finished.

Organisers introduced a hand-operated bell but that clashed with the bell in the other ring, causing confusion amongst the contestants.

Ireland head coach Hawkins, who sat patiently waiting for the schedule to be run off, explained later that it was far from ideal for his boxers.

“I knew that the 48kg (light flyweight) division was first up but I did not know when my guy was in the ring. As it turned out he was first to box - it was not the ideal start,” he said.

Seventeen-year-old Conor Ahern looked a bit dazed as he was beaten on points by South Korea’s Hong Moo-won.

“To tell you the truth the boy was not really that worried (that he did not know he was on first until minutes before the bout). He is just 17 and the experience of a World Amateur Championships is good for him,” said Hawkins.

The Irish coach added that several teams had resorted to subterfuge to check the round by round scoring after the public system went down.

“There are guys up in the stands with binoculars and telescopes looking at the computers. Most teams are doing it,” he said.

“They (the organisers) are not hiding the scores from anyone. It is just teething problems, it happens at most big tournaments. I am sure they are working to sort it out before tomorrow.

“The fact that they have two bells is a bit confusing. They have experimented before with buzzers for one ring and bells for the other - I do not know what has happened here.”

Cuba’s Guillermo Ortiz Rigondeaux, the Olympic and world champion, started the defence of his bantamweight (54kg) crown in stylish fashion.

He was constantly on the attack against Liczik Andozej of Poland and deservedly won on points.