An amputee boxer is imploring the game’s UK authority to grant him permission to struggle in newbie bouts.
Matt Edwards, 24, from Havant in Hampshire, was beforehand refused a licence as England Boxing held issues that his prosthetic leg would give him a bonus.
In an announcement to the BBC, the boxing authority stated that it was “investigating potential options for inclusive competitions” however had beforehand been following its personal security guidelines.
Mr. Edwards had his leg amputated beneath the knee after a motorbike crash 5 years in the past and stated that England Boxing’s choice had ended his boxing dream “before it’s even started”.
Speaking to the BBC Mr. Edwards defined that he “went off the rails” after his accident. “I turned to drinking every day and did a few drugs”, he stated. “I eventually got sectioned and went to rehab”.
He took up boxing after being suggested to undertake a pastime with a purpose to help his rehabilitation.
“I instantly felt like this was my sport”, he added. “As soon as I got into that ring it felt like I had two legs again”.
Mr. Edwards quickly wished to compete in an newbie bout, however England Boxing denied him a licence.
Knowing that the spring in his prosthetic leg may give him extra energy in his punches, he “got a leg made that was solid”. Unfortunately, he’s now “at a disadvantage in [England Boxing’s] eyes”.
“They’re not really assessing my case individually”, he stated, complaining that the authority has “fobbed me off into a disability zone that I don’t want to be in”.
“I’m not that disabled bloke, I’m a differently abled bloke. Why stop my dream before it’s even started?”
A spokesperson for England Boxing defined that, previously, the authority has “needed to follow a set of rules that did not allow for inclusive boxing to take place”
“As part of our current strategy, we are investigating potential options for inclusive competitions,” the governing physique stated.
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