ANOTHER national boxing tournament due to be held in Basildon has been cancelled, amid concerns of violence.

Last month, Essex Police forced England Boxing to shut down its Junior Boxing Championship semi-finals, set to be held at the Basildon Sporting Village, following a “threat to life”, with the force refusing to detail why.

Now, England Boxing has relocated the adults Elite National Championships, set be staged at the Cranes Farm Road venue this month, more than 200 miles away in Rotherham to secure the tournament’s future.

A spokesman for England Boxing said: “Basildon Sporting Village had been the intended location for the quarters and semis.

“No threats were made against staging the Elite National Championships in Basildon, however it became apparent in our dealings with the venue that it was reluctant to host the championship, following recent events that led the police to cancel the National Junior Finals.

“In light of this and to avoid the possibility of the event being cancelled at short notice, causing massive inconvenience and disappointment to participating boxers and their families, England Boxing has decided to move the finals weekend to the Magna Centre in Rotherham. This decision has been made firmly in the interests of our clubs, members and all of the boxers and their families and friends who hope to be part of finals weekend.”

He explained the move intends to secure the tournament’s future, shedding any “uncertainty surrounding (the) finals weekend.”

Basildon Sporting Village has been approached for comment.

Caspar Hobbs, chairman of England Boxing, last month condemned those responsible for the March cancellation.

He said: “It is disgraceful and disgusting that a few selfish and pathetic individuals can ruin the dreams of young boxers, and those who support them, for their own low and pathetic reasons - it is nothing short of outrageous.

“The same happened last year, that may be coincidental or it may not be.”

The cancellation came after the event was pulled for the same reasons in 2016, when it was due to take place in Portsmouth.

The location for the final stages of the Elite National Championships will now be held at the Magna Centre in Rotherham from April 21 to 23.