Is the Amateur Boxing Association of England enforcing racist codes of conduct?

Boxing boy wonder Amir Khan is destined for big bucks having recently sealed the deal with prestigious US based promotional company, Golden Boy. Owner of Golden Boy, former world champ, Oscar De La Hoya coined Khan as  “one of the most talented fighters in the world at any weight”.

But while Khan cracks America, back home Muslim and Sikh boxers are battling a ‘beard ban’. The Amateur Boxing Association of England (ABAE) have ruled that boxers must be clean shaven in order that cuts to the face are easily visible.

Though the ABAE argue that the change has been implemented for health and safety reasons and has nothing to do with ethnicity, Muslim and Sikh communities have retorted that professional fighters have been allowed facial hair for over 20 years. Director of the Network of Sikh Organisations, Dr Indarjit Singh exclaimed “I was astounded that they should make a ruling that is so insensitive, knowing that it will disadvantage at least one religious community”.

The campaign against the ruling continues and, in the meantime, is leaving many young Muslim and Sikh men’s dreams of competitive boxing in limbo - particularly unfortunate for a sport that is usually celebrated for its diversity.