I am writing to strongly recommend that amateur boxing be exempt from the 54.1-828, 54.1-829.1 and that Amateur Boxing be added as Exemption under the Virginia law that became effective October 1, 2015 and to add number 5. Under 54.1-830: stating: The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to Amateur Boxing Exemptions of House Bill No. 1228 Offered January 19, 2016.  A Bill to amend and reenact 54.1-828, 54.1-829, and 54.1-830 of the Code of Virginia relating to the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation; boxing and wrestling events: sanctioning organizations.

If the law that went in effect October 1, 2015 regulating Amateur boxing in the Commonwealth of Virginia is not repealed or amended and if Bill No 1228 passes there will not be any more Amateur boxing in the Commonwealth of Virginia.  We must keep amateur boxing program in Virginia. 

I strongly recommend that an amendment be added making USA Boxing the official sanctioning organization for Amateur boxing in the Commonwealth of Virginia using their outstanding present by-law, rules, regulations, policies and procedures

The experience I gained from Amateur boxing prepared and enabled me to have an accomplished 134-16 record in Pro/Am boxing. I have coached thousands of boxers the past 60 years of my life.  I am proud to say that the boxers I coached gained experience from the disciplined structure physical and mental boxing program that built up their confidence and self-esteem that impacted their life in a positive manner and promoted a healthy life style for them that will remain with them, as it has with me, throughout their entire life.

If the amendment to exempt amateur boxing is not made to the existing law that went into effect October 1, 2015 and the proposed House Bill 1228 all of the Virginia boxing gyms and clubs will go out of business thus causing much unemployment and tax dollars loss in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

If Amateur boxing shuts down there will also be an increase in crimes committed by young people that can not participate in other sports or activity that keep them off the streets.  The sport of amateur boxing offers an alternative to young people who are not able to participate in a team sport in school or for an organized recreation organization. 

The Virginia Department of Occupational Regulations do not have any amateur boxing rules or regulations therefore it is impossible under the law effective October 1, 2015 or House Bill No. 1228 for amateur boxers that are members of USA Boxing, Inc. that promotes advancement of Junior Olympic boxers ages 8-15 to compete in the Junior Olympic National Championships and the Senior  boxers ages 16-34 opportunity to advance to represent the Commonwealth of Virginia and the United States of American in the International Olympic Boxing Championships.

The Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation do not have any amateur boxing rules or regulations in place.  There is not any reasonable way amateur boxing can exist by abiding by professional boxing regulation.  Let's face the true reality that amateur and pro boxing are as different as day and night. 

Make Amateur boxing exempt from the present and the proposed House Bill 1228 and making USA Boxing the official sanctioning organization for Amateur boxing allowing USA Boxing to use their present outstanding by-laws, rule, regulations, policies and procedures is the sensible solution to keep the wonderful sport of amateur boxing alive and well in the Commonwealth of Virginia.