By FRED STURRUP, NG Associate Editor, frederick@nasguard.com, frobertsturrup@gmail.co

The world of boxing is known for its sleaze. None of us involved in the game itself or sports, in general, for that matter can legitimately deny that a lot of slimy individuals have always been a part of pro boxing. The sport of pro boxing has indeed been characterized by a lot of under-handed business and downright dirtiness. Today, despite the sport being much more organized than it was four or five decades ago and further back, there is a huge question mark on a number of entities. Yes, the sport is tainted (as is the case with most of the other disciplines).

But in the midst of all the shadiness, there is at least one organization that stands up solid and pure, defiant in its aim to walk the straight road and be the prime example for what the sport really should be like.

Reference is to the Commonwealth Boxing Council. Financially, it does not rank with the World Boxing Council, the World Boxing Association, the World Boxing Organization, or any of the other noted pro-boxing authorities. But, the Council is clean-cut. The Council makes no deals, this perhaps being one of the primary reasons it is not one of pro-boxing's financial aristocrats.

No, the Council will make no deal.

It's pure delight to sit around a table with the likes of the venerable Ray Clarke, Eric Armit, Simon Block, David Venn, Al Hamilton, Calvin Inalsingh, David Roden, Prince Adeboye, Leroy Brown and others and be totally satisfied that there will be only straight talk and fair decisions made. The Council, which has been supported quite passionately by the British Boxing Board for about 50 years, is upstanding and the role model for pro-boxing today.

This an era when there is so much that is wrong in sports.

At a time when the sports industry ranks right up there and is actually the biggest economic engine for many nations around the world, along with the great growth has come the undesirables and the institutionalized ways to cheat and demean. But, year after year, the Council stands above the fray, never tainted, never dealing, functioning always in the best interest of the boxing family and the sport itself.

This is why a Ray Clarke, approaching 90, is inclined to come to interim meetings as well as the AGMs. It's special for him to be still fundamentally connected the Council, to be associated with a body that has the kind of strong credibility rating that is not common today in sports or otherwise. Oh, at Council meetings, there are disagreements, always. But there is this culture that enables those in disagreement with one point or the other to discus them legitimately with the only agenda being a balanced playing field for everyone concerned.

It is almost a novelty when respective brands of politics come into play so often, depending upon the particular organization, that there is one body out there that is undefiled, not tainted in any way.

This speaks as much to the leadership roles played over the years by members such as Clarke, Armit and Block as it does to the general demeanor of others in the Council membership. In fact, the reputation of the Council is heavily guarded against the slightest hint of anything not transparent. I can say unequivocally that the influence of the British has had a lot to do with how the Council is dictated to by convention. The involvement of all national representatives within the Commonwealth has its merits for sure but to be totally honest, the British have led the way with this honorable sports organization.

Recognizing its true value, the British Boxing Board has been a rock of support through the years.

The Council has been the vehicle driven by many to world championships.

It's a noble body that's one of the great unsung products in all of world sports. The Council can certainly do with a good marketing program so that many more can get to know about it. But, it ought never shift from its upfront and caring approach.

Today, the Commonwealth Boxing Council is most refreshing, a beacon of honesty and an inspiration in the world of sports.