Board director Brugnoli resigns for AIBA Executive Committee

England Boxing board director, Giorgio Brugnoli, has resigned his position on AIBA’s Executive Committee with immediate effect.

Brugnoli cited the need to make way for new leadership in the sport to address longstanding issues over governance, financial transparency and decision making as the key factors behind his decision.

In his resignation letter, Brugnoli, pictured at last year’s National Amateur Championships Finals Day with Birtley’s Mark Dickinson, said: “It is with great sadness that I have made the decision to resign from AIBA’s Executive Committee with immediate effect.

“My aim as a member of the Executive Committee was to help drive the process of reform from within and use my position to help AIBA to address the many issues that have affected the organisation and the sport in recent years and enable it to become a financially transparent, ethical, well-governed, international federation which puts the interest of the boxers at the heart of decision making.

“Having closely observed the process of reform over the last 18 months, I think faster and more effective progress is necessary and I believe that AIBA must renew the leadership of the organisation so that it can build towards the future.”

“New leadership will be vital in progressing the reforms required to deliver a fit-for-purpose international governing body for the sport.”

Brugnoli has been involved in boxing for over 50 years.  He had more than 100 amateur bouts and enjoyed a highly successful career as an official where he worked as a referee and judge at every level of the sport including world and continental championships, Olympic qualifying events and the Commonwealth Games.

He was appointed to the board of England Boxing in 2013.  At AIBA’s Congress in Moscow in November 2018 he was voted onto the Executive Committee, which is the most powerful decision making body in the sport.

Brugnoli added: “I have dedicated over 50 years of my life to the sport of boxing as a competitor, volunteer, official and administrator and being voted onto the Executive Committee in November 2018 was one of the proudest and most humbling experiences of my life.

“I would once again like to express my thanks and gratitude to all of the national federations from around the world that elected me onto the Executive Committee.

“I remain committed to working within the sport and will continue with my role as a member of the England Boxing board of directors whilst also pursuing my work as an International Technical Official.  My passion for boxing remains as great as ever and I will continue to be ready and willing to do whatever I can to help enhance and further the sport, nationally and internationally, in years to come.”