Local boxer calls for British Boxing Board of Control’s General Secretary to resign

A local boxer is calling for resignation of the British Boxing Board of Control’s General Secretary with a peaceful protest before a big fight in Cardiff.

Rochdale-born Muhammad Ali Zahid, 24, has high hopes to fight professionally after 10 years of boxing, but has run into a number of issues due to having type 1 diabetes, a condition which runs in his family.

Type One diabetes is an autoimmune disease that occurs when the body is unable to produce insulin, the hormone that controls the amount of sugar in your blood. It requires regular administration of insulin either by injection or by insulin pump.

In 2015, he revealed plans to turn professional after graduating from Edge Hill University, but is still fighting for the achievement.

http://www.rochdaleonline.org/news-features/4/sport-news/99544/boxer-muhammad-ali-zahid-to-turn-professional

However, current rules by the British Boxing Board of Control, which is reviewing Ali’s case, dictate that boxers with type one diabetes cannot fight professionally, as checking blood sugar levels during a fight “would be too disruptive.”

https://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/4/sport-news/116284/diabetic-boxer-still-hopes-to-compete-professionally-after-two-year-fight

Despite this, England Boxing, the national governing body for boxing, states: “Following England Boxing's total adoption of AIBA Rules (International Boxing Association), the guidance regarding boxers with diabetes has changed.

“The rule now states that you cannot box if you have uncontrolled type 1 or type 2 diabetes mellitus or uncontrolled thyroid disease.

“Therefore, if a boxer has controlled diabetes, he or she may box.”

Even with medical evidence to support his application confirming he is medically fit to box and has controlled blood sugar levels, a licence has still been withheld, something Ali believes is prejudicial. As a result, he is calling for the General Secretary, Robert Smith, to resign.

Ali explained how his doctor, who has worked with other athletes with type one diabetes, and an endocrinologist have provided evidence to the board, supporting his application. He has been fitted with a continuous glucose monitor, providing continuous insight into his glucose levels, which his doctor says recorded stable levels with no episodes of hypoglycaemia during both sparring and training sessions.  

In an email seen by Rochdale Online, Ali’s doctor, who has supported his application for a professional boxing licence to the Board, wrote: “It is clear that any restriction cannot be based on medical grounds. I have provided the board with evidence of similar procedures required to support professional jockey licence to the satisfaction of the British Horseracing Authority and urge that the board of control follows suit.

“Any further withholding of his licence in my view can only be viewed as discriminatory.”

Ali added: “I have been fighting for my case for over two years now and I won’t stop until I get my licence.”

The protest will be held at the Anthony Joshua v Parker fight at The Principality Stadium, Westgate Street, Cardiff, CF10 1NS starting at 4.30pm

Support is requested from the Rochdale community with transport from Castlemere Community Centre provided. Please arrive before 11am if you wish to attend.

To attend the protest, please contact Jack on 07977 777252