Battle lines have been drawn in the sand between the Bermuda Boxing Federation and the newly formed Bermuda International Boxing Association, who remain on a collision course for a showdown for the right to govern the sport domestically.

As it stands, the BBF, which changed its name last month from Bermuda Amateur Boxing Association (BABA), is the only association in Bermuda recognised by the world governing body, the International Boxing Association (AIBA).

But the legitimacy of the BBF as a national governing body has come under intense scrutiny from all of the sport’s local stakeholders, who have deemed the beleaguered association as “defunct” and “dysfunctional”.

Stakeholders are baffled as to why the AIBA continues to recognise the BBF as a functioning body, even though the association consistst of only two executives: Debra Smith, the secretary, who is also serving now as the interim president and treasurer, and Quinton Mallory, the liaison officer.

“We are aware that there are some issues going on with boxing and we are working to resolve it,” was all that Wayne Scott, the Sports Minister, was prepared to say when approached for comment on the situation yesterday.

Philip Guishard, the Bermuda Olympic Association secretary-general, expressed concern over the manner in which local boxing is being run at the highest level. “There appears to be no bona fide national sport governing body in boxing at the moment,” he said.

Both the Ministry of Sport and BOA have yet to recognise the BBF’s new name, which they insist remains the BABA.

The standoff between the two organisations came to light this week after the BBF went public with its refusal to sanction tomorrow’s boxing card at BAA Gym, which is being staged by the BIBA.

The BBF also reminded participants and officials that they risked losing their eligibility to take part in future AIBA events, such as the Olympics, Commonwealth Games, CAC Games and Pan Am Games.

“Boxers and officials who participate in events not approved/sanctioned by the Bermuda Boxing Federation [affiliated to AIBA] will no longer be authorised to participate to any AIBA sanctioned/approved events,” Patricia Steulet, the AIBA director of external relations, advised the BIBA in an e-mail.

Smith revealed yesterday that her association did not sanction last month’s Teachers Fight Night at Berkeley School Gym and suggested that all the local boxers that took part had already forfeited their eligibility to participate in AIBA-sanctioned bouts. Among those involved was Andre Lambe, who is regarded as one of Bermuda’s best future prospects. The AIBA’s policy does not apply to professional boxers.

Despite not receiving the blessing of the BBF, and the stern warning from the AIBA, the BIBA has vowed to go ahead with plans to stage a 12-bout card tomorrow, with all of the scheduled boxers on board.

“The Bermuda International Boxing Association will continue to support boxing in Bermuda and to push the boys to become stronger physically and mentally, so they can be constructive world citizens and successful in life,” Carmyn Waldorf, the BIBA executive secretary and public relations officer, said.

Relations between both parties have been strained at best since the BIBA was formed in 2012, with Smith accusing the new group of throwing its weight around and being unwilling to co-operate with her association.

“They will not work with us,” Smith said. “They want to dictate to us and I told their new president, Leroy Maxwell, that I will not be dictated to by him or by anybody in his association.

“They want us to do whatever they say and they do not want to abide by AIBA’s rules and regulations. Therefore, I will have nothing to do with them.”

Waldorf denied Smith’s claims. “We have reached out to her several times to try and get on the same page and it is apparent that that is not what she wants,” she said.

“I personally helped to establish communications between Debra Smith and the AIBA external relations person [Steulet], as they had been trying to reach her for months and she had not heard from them [BABA] for a few years.”