Important Statement From The President Of The Malta Boxing Commission

Whilst the world wide media have been focused on the issues surrounding the proposed Dereck Chisora versus David Haye in London on July 14th, elsewhere in the World a not too dissimilar scenario has been unfolding on the Islands of Malta.

Unlike in the case of Dereck Chisora or David Haye, where no criminal charges have been instigated, former Commonwealth Champion Scott Dixon, the subject of the drama unfolding in Malta, has been on bail since 2009 awaiting trial for the alleged importation and distribution of narcotics.

On receiving news that Mr. Dixon has been arrested for breaking his bail conditions, Alexander Zammit, President of the Malta Boxing Commission, today issued the following statement:

“The incorrigible former commonwealth boxing champ, Scott Dixon, is back behind bars. Information supplied to the office of the Malta Boxing Commission indicates that Dixon was arrested for breaking his bail conditions.

Unconfirmed sources also informed us that Dixon's bail bond was withdrawn before he was re-arrested.

Dixon is presently in Malta (where he has resided since 2005) awaiting trial in connection over the alleged importation and attempted distribution of around 500 Kilos of cannabis or resin cannabis, since 2009. He was eventually given provisional liberty against a bail bond of over 30,000 Euros.

Hours before Dixon was arrested early on Saturday morning (19 May, 2012), he was acting as a corner-man for the organisers of Malta's 'Prize Boxer', an eight-men unsanctioned boxing tournament based on the 'Prize Fighter' concept.

Sources at ringside place Dixon at the tournament into the early hours of Saturday morning (from Friday night), well beyond the parameters established in his bail conditions by the local courts.

This latest episode in the Dixon saga may have put paid to Dixon's comeback plans. According to the German based 'World Boxing Union' Scott Dixon was to take on Baker Barakat (champion) for his WBU super-middleweight title on the 18th August in Pembroke, Malta.

Sources from within the WBU confirm that this bout is being sanctioned by the German Boxing Board (BDB).

On the other hand - The BDB are presently condemning very strongly and labeling as controversial a contest between David Haye and Dereck Chisora at West Ham on July 14, sanctioned by the Luxembourg Boxing Federation (LBF).

Just as Chisora and Haye do not hold a valid license with the BBBofC or the BDB - neither does Scott Dixon hold a boxing license with the Malta Boxing Commission (MBC). As a matter of fact he was refused a license by the MBC until such time as the Maltese authorities either declared him innocent of the charges against him or such charges are dropped.

Yet the BDB (according to the WBU) saw fit to sanction this Malta show and one has to assume that if this show were to happen this would also be done under a German Boxing License as Dixon's license was suspended by the BBBofC before he took up residence in Malta.

Is this a case of two weights and two measures? - The BDB should never have sanctioned an event involving Scott Dixon, especially since this is being held in Malta.

In my opinion the proposed Barakat - Dixon fight is much more condemnable than the Haye - Chisora fight.

If the Luxembourg Boxing Federation is to be condemned for supplying the legality for the Haye - Chisora proposed fight, the Germans should also, at the very least, be equally condemned over the Barakat - Dixon scheduled fight.

Benjamin Franklin wrote, 'Don't throw stones at your neighbours', if your own windows are glass.'”

Irish Amateur Boxing Association

Boy 2, Boy 3 and Junior Cadet Champions

A meeting of all boxers in the above categories along with their coaches will take place this Saturday, May 26th, 2012 at 10:30am upstairs in the Ringside Club.

This meeting will inform all boxers/coaches about the squad training plans laid out, commitment levels required and other criteria which must be met and maintained. All boxers are asked to bring their boxing record book/card to this meeting.

The Director of Boxing, Dominic O'Rourke, and members of the Elite Schoolboy Coaching Team will be present at the meeting.

OKINE PROMISES TO UPSET SELBY
 
Patrick Okine, challenger for Lee Selby's Commonwealth Featherweight title, has promised to shock the champion in his 'Homecoming' this Friday (25th May) night at the Newport Sports Centre.
 
The heavy-handed Ghanaian is on a KO run that has seen him finish of his last five opponents early and intends to make Welsh star Selby his latest victim.
 
"I'm not flying 5,000 miles to Wales to lose, I'm coming to Wales to knock-out Selby, cold," said Okine.
 
"Selby is a good fighter but he hasn't faced someone like me before who will keep coming and coming at him round after round and I will eventually catch him,"
 
"The boxing ring can be anywhere in the world, America, Ghana or Newport the result will be the same, Lee Selby will be knocked-out."
 
Selby, who shot to prominence when he beat Stephen Smith last year, says that Okine will be the one feeling the power on the night.
 
"He's talking big and promising to come over here and knock me out, but I'll send him back to Ghana the next morning with the first KO loss on his record," Said the Barry star.
 
"I've put everything into this fight and making sure that I'm in the best shape of my life which is why I went to train at Floyd Mayweather's gym in Las Vegas,"
 
"These African fighters are tough and I'm not expecting an easy night against him but I know I'll be the one who will have his hands raised at the end,"
 
"This is my homecoming and Okine is not going to spoil it."
 
Selby v Okine is live and exclusive on BoxNation (Sky Ch. 456/Virgin Ch. 546) on Friday 25th May from 7.30pm. Join at www.boxnation.com