Thiruvananthpuram: The boxing competition at the National Games starting on Saturday was thrown into jeopardy today after Boxing India (BI) directed all state units to boycott the event owing to the IOA's refusal to grant recognition to BI, prompting top names such as former Asian and Commonwealth medallist Manoj Kumar to pull out.

BI's tough stand follows the IOA's adamant denial of recognition to the body, which, interestingly, has the support of the International Boxing Association (AIBA). "IOA has long been non-comittal to Boxing India and given this latest incidence of no response from them, all state boxing associations affiliated to Boxing India are hereby directed to not to send any list of boxers to IOA for participation in National Games," BI President Sandeep Jajodia said in a letter sent to the state units.