Cuban Coach Fernandez Advocates for Trials in Indian Boxing Selection
Cuban boxing coach Blas Iglesias Fernandez, a veteran of three decades in Indian boxing, has expressed his support for the Boxing Federation of India’s (BFI) decision to revert to trials for boxer selection. Fernandez, who has witnessed the highs and lows of Indian boxing, believes that trials are a fairer and more transparent method.
Fernandez, who has been appointed as the high-performance coach for the National Boxing Academy (NBA) in Rohtak, criticized the previous evaluation-based selection system implemented by former High Performance Director Bernard Dunne. He argued that the evaluation method was “needless” and did not provide a complete picture of a boxer’s abilities.
“We must return to the system of trials, it was more fair and transparent and left no scope for ambiguity,” Fernandez said. “Given a chance, I would like to propose some changes to the selection criteria. We need to ditch the system of evaluation as it doesn’t present a complete picture.”
Fernandez, the only foreigner to receive the Dronacharya Award for coaching excellence, expressed surprise that Dunne was given a free hand to implement his selection policy. He believes that Dunne’s changes were not in the best interests of Indian boxing.
“He took over the reins when India was among the top 15-20 nations in men’s boxing. He came in and went about changing everything, which is not the way to go. I am surprised he was allowed to do this. The policy of no selection trials looks good on paper but practically it means nothing. The No.3 boxer can become No.1 in this process,” Fernandez said.
Fernandez is now focused on preparing a plan for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. He believes that widening the core group by adding more youth boxers is crucial for creating a strong supply line.
“That’s how you create a supply line,” he reasoned. “As of now, the senior camp has three boxers per weight class and Fernandez wants to double that. I have started the phase of talent identification for 2028. We need more age-group events and more youth boxers in NBA. Ideally, we need 4-6 boxers in each weight category.”
Fernandez backed former world No.1 Amit Panghal to win a medal in Paris if he qualifies. “I think Amit and Nishant Dev have the best chance to qualify. Amit is a medal contender since he is very sharp at reading opponents. He is mature and has a good all-round game. Amit and (woman’s world champion) Nikhat Zareen are what I call universal boxers. If they are in form, they can come back with a medal from Paris.”