Acts of violence during the Fiji heavy-weight title fight at Lawaqa Park, Sigatoka, on Saturday night has left the image of professional boxing in the country in tatters.

Speaking to SUNsports yesterday, Boxing Commission of Fiji (BCF) chairman Adi Narayan could not hide his disgust and said it was an embarrassment to the sport.

However, Narayan said the BCF directors are going to review video footages of the incidents and would come down hard on those involved.

Trouble erupted during the Fiji heavy-weight title fight when title holder James ‘The Beast’ Singh punched Semi Daulolo-ma, while they were on the canvas.

This was their third fight and in the first round, Singh was decked when he copped a hook from Dauloloma. Going into the second round, Dauloloma cornered Singh on the ropes and their exchange of punches resulted in both falling to the canvas. Singh punched Dauloloma twice on the floor while referee Fatu Tuimanono tried to separate them. The ring officials jumped into ring to separate the boxers as things turned ugly.

Tempers flared and there was an exchange of heated words, this angered Dauloloma, who in his rage charged towards Singh but was held back by the ring officials as punches were thrown from both sides (cornermen) with a punch hitting one of ring officials. The bout was stopped and declared a no-contest.
“What happened is an embarrassment for professional boxing I must say,” Narayan said.

“They are both champions, both were at fault and that is why I made the ruling of no-contest. What happened was Semi fell with James. It’s his fault, it’s not WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment), it’s boxing and then James turned around to punch him.

“What we say here is if we disqualify, you don’t win a belt by disqualification. That was a shame and it should not have hap-pen. The commission has taken note of what has happened.”

Other incident
Narayan said the Commission would also look at another incident where feather-weight boxer Mikaele Ravolaca entered the ring and openly challenged Umbayed Haider.

Things got heated up when Haider stepped into the ring to answer the challenge, which resulted in an exchange of heated words and a scuffle almost took place as the ring officials stepped in.

“We will be looking at all these things and will make a ruling. We’ll call a media conference and let the people of Fiji know.”

Narayan said the Commission is likely to meet today.

“We’ve got the video (footages).

“The tension was on the rise before the heavyweight fight and both camps had the crowd support. We need to be very careful about how we are going to deal with this.”

When approached Singh said: “He (Dauloloma) is not a true champion, there’ll be no rematch and he can go back to the amateurs.”

In his reply Dauloloma said: “What kind of champion is that? Once you fall and he (James) starts hitting you from the back, is that allowed? I would like a rematch in November if they allow me to. I will come for the title.”

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