Nappi Quits, Dove Stays With Boxers

Famed former Olympic boxing coach Pat Nappi resigned Sunday afternoon in the aftermath of a bitter board of directors meeting Saturday.

Nappi, 73, coached 13 gold medal winners at the 1976 and 1984 Olympics.

Billy Dove, USA Boxing president, had attempted to force Nappi--who coached three U.S. Olympic boxing teams--onto the 1992 team’s coaching staff as an adviser, and also to have team manager Buzz Buzalsky replaced.

The moves were turned down Saturday in a two-hour closed meeting of the USA Boxing Board.

Dove also resigned Sunday afternoon in a letter. But three hours later, he rescinded the resignation.

Dove submitted a petition to the board Saturday, signed by 18 boxers--11 of whom made the Olympic team--asking that Buzalsky be replaced and that Nappi get some role in Barcelona. Some boxers said Sunday they were unclear what they had signed.

Nappi, his last chance gone to accompany the Olympic team to Barcelona, carried the title of USA Boxing national coach.

“I resigned today. If they don’t think I can help these kids, then that’s the way it has to be,” Nappi said.