Boxing's ruling body in Bermuda has defended its decision not to back Teresa Perozzi's bid for Pan Am glory, saying it was concerned for her safety as it does not believe she is ready for top level competition.

And what is more, without the blessing of the Island's Amateur Boxing Association the body says she cannot officially represent her country.

Perozzi's family have paid the $1,500 to enable the 27-year-old to take part in the Women's Pan American Boxing Championships in Scranton, Pennsylvania this week.

The event is just one rung down from the World Championships and as Perozzi has only been participating in the sport for a short time, the BABA decided it was "too much, too soon".

"In considering whether to sanction Ms Perozzi to represent the country in this event we took into account the standard of competition that she would likely face at a Continental Championships.

"We also considered her current level of boxing ability," said BABA executive, Craig Morfitt.

"Ms Perozzi is very much a novice boxer. She has competed in three fights and one exhibition match.

"Each of these fights, and the exhibition, has been witnessed by at least one member of the BABA executive.

"We therefore believe that we are in a good position to determine her current level of ability. With the exception of the exhibition bout, her fights have been against other novice fighters.

"Whilst she has fought against overseas opponents she has not been in an 'international bout', as defined by AIBA, the international governing body of amateur boxing.

"AIBA dictates that only bouts so sanctioned by the national governing bodies of both countries can be called 'international bouts'."

Morfitt said the Pan Am Championships were truly international and featured boxers from the Americas, Canada and the Caribbean.

"Each of these national teams can reasonably be expected to include the best amateur female boxers from each country," said Morfitt.

During a meeting to discuss Perozzi's application a call to organisers confirmed there would no novice class, but just an 'open' category.

"Having considered the facts before us, the Executive decided that the Continental Championships were too much, too soon for Ms Perozzi," Morfitt said.

"It was our opinion that we would not be helping her development as a boxer to throw her in at the deep end.

"Ms Perozzi's personal health and safety were paramount in this decision. It was the opinion of the Executive that she should tackle championships of a lesser standard to begin with and gradually work towards a Continental Championships."

Morfitt said with this in mind, the Executive wanted Perozzi to look at the Golden Gloves Championships which are to be held at various US cities.

These Championships feature novice divisions for fighters with three or less fights under their belt.

"The Executive went further by suggesting to Ms Perozzi that, should she identify such a tournament, we would give serious consideration to providing some funding to permit her to participate," said Morfitt.

"This was a unanimous decision, agreed to by all of the members of the executive present at the meeting, including Joanne Rego, wife of coach 'Forty' Rego.

"This information was communicated to Ms Perozzi verbally and by letter."

If the fighter agreed, participation would initially be as an individual rather than a representative of a national team, he said.

The first step in international boxing would likely be to represent Bermuda in the Caribbean Championships before advancing to even stiffer competition.

"It has therefore come as a great shock to learn that Ms Perozzi has announced her intentions to participate in the upcoming Continental Championships without having been sanctioned by the BABA," Morfitt said.

"Quite simply, she cannot represent Bermuda in amateur boxing without official sanctioning."