AMATEUR BOXERS in Dundee have been warned that their careers as unpaid fighters will be ended if they take part in “white-collar” bouts.

Donald Campbell, administrator of Amateur Boxing Scotland, said that recent semi-professional events held in the city’s clubs have not been properly regulated —a point disputed by the promoter of the last event held at Liquid nightclub.

Liquid nightclub on Ward Road has a charity boxing night planned for November 22, featuring Frank Bruno as host.

Any amateur boxer fighting in this or similar shows, however, will face a lifetime ban from the unpaid scene and will forfeit the chance fight for Scotland.

Mr Campbell said, “Once a fighter takes part in a white-collar match—that is it for them, as far as Amateur Boxing Scotland is concerned, and they will never be permitted to re-enter.

“We are governed by Sportscotland and bound by IABA (International Amateur Boxing Association) rules.

“These white-collar shows are basically the same as me starting my own martial art, which would be completely unregulated.”

Dave Cowan of Lochee Boys Boxing Club was recently approached by a Dundee fighter who had taken part in a white-collar bout at Liquid Nightclub.

He said, “There is a major problem with white-collar boxing matches in Dundee.

“We have had a lad who took part in one of the shows coming to try to join our club and because he had taken part in the white collar match he was refused by ABS.

“There is no need for the organisers of these shows to try to poach youngsters.

“A lot of the boxers getting involved don’t realise the implications until they have taken part and it doesn’t seem to be getting made clear to them.

“It is not worth it in the long run because unless the lads are going to turn professional they are throwing away their whole career.”

Freelance boxing coach and promoter David Stephenson organised the last fight showcase at Liquid Nightclub and claims white-collar boxing is controlled as strictly as the amateur game.

He said, “We are regulated through the European Boxing Federation and it is essentially just a different governing body for the semi-professional circuit.

“All of my fighters are told they won’t be able to compete as amateurs and I have one who has just had to turn down a chance to make the 2012 Olympics squad.

“I think the issue for ABS is safety and the fact that we don’t always use head guards in our fights.

“But we fully comply with European rules and all weigh-ins are exactly the same.”

Flyers for the next fight night at Liquid Nightclub claim the £20 ticket price will go to cerebral palsy charity Scope.

Club general manager Des Jones said, “We will only do maybe three of these events a year and it is done mainly from a charity point of view.

First-time promoter Scott Reid is organising the night at Liquid on November 22, and said, “Our event has nothing to do with previous boxing shows held at Liquid and 100% of our profits will be going to Scope.

“It is going to be governed by the World Karate and Kick Boxing Association and fighters will be assessed by a doctor before and after a bout.

“Our boxers have never been registered as amateurs and have only ever fought in white-collar competitions.”