Frank Warren on Amateur Scandal, Barker, Froch, More

by Frank Warren, courtesy of The Sun

AMATEUR boxing hit the main news last week following the controversy over the BBC investigation into alleged medal fixing at London 2012.

BBC's Newsnight programme alleged to have uncovered 'secret payments' of at least $9m from an unnamed source to the WSB, to secure gold medals for two Azerbaijani boxers at the London Olympics.

Then more allegations came out when five of the nine boxers representing Azerbaijan were given seeded positions that were higher than their ranking at the world championships.

The IOC and AIBA, who oversee Olympic boxing judges, have launched their own investigations into the matter.

It hasn't proved anything to me, though. It was an 'unnamed source' making the allegations of the 'guarantee of two gold medals'. If it's true why is the source 'unnamed'.

It would be virtually impossible to guarantee a boxer's route to secure Olympic gold, let alone two.

It certainly didn't help the Azeri Rahim Najafov — one of their stars. He didn't get past the opening round after Brit Luke Campbell got a 17-7 decision over him.

The bad timing of the Newsnight programme before the start of the World Championships reminds me of last year when England's bid to host the 2018 World Cup was dashed partly because of the BBC Panorama investigation into FIFA corruption.

The World Amateur Championships have started in Baku, Azerbaijan.

Obviously, the British team are concerned the Beeb story could affect judging in the tournament and the mind-set of the boxers.

Next week, BoxNation will show live action from the latter stages of the World Amateurs and the Royal Albert Hall Cup.

UK Combined Services take on US Armed Forces in aid of Tickets for Troops.

CARL FROCH had his Super Six Final with Andre Ward moved to December 17 after the American was cut in sparring.

Froch's promoter Eddie Hearn didn't believe the validity of the injury and said it was unusual to be sparring late at night.

There's nothing unusual — it's about the time boxers fight for real.

NONITO DONAIRE will be the pink pounder for his next fight!

The exciting bantamweight defends his WBO/WBC titles against Omar Narvaez at Madison Square Garden on October 28 and will wear pink gloves.

Donaire wants to bring more awareness to breast cancer when he fights.

DARREN BARKER is one of boxing's nice guys and I wish him all the best tonight against Sergio Martinez but I can't see a fairytale ending for him.

Martinez is one of the world's top pound-for-pound fighters.

For news and reviews visit www.frankwarren.tv