Haider lost on a ninth round technical knockout (TKO) in the IBO (International Boxing Organisation) Asia Pacific featherweight title fight.
Melbourne referee Ignatius Missailidis who officiated Ubayd Haider’s fight against Runqi Zhou. Photo: Waisea Nasokia
Former Fiji middleweight champion Jeremaia Tadu has called on the Boxing Commission of Fiji (BCF) to put tougher measures in place for the safety of boxers.
Tadu was reacting to the death of featherweight boxer Ubayd Haider when he collapsed after his fight against Runqi Zhou in Nadi on October 26.
Haider lost on a ninth round technical knockout (TKO) in the IBO (International Boxing Organisation) Asia Pacific featherweight title fight.
Tadu said it was sad to see something like that happen to one of our promising boxers.
“Sadly, this has happened but the referee needs to be scrutinised,” he said.
“The referee should have seen if the boxer was not defending himself.
“If the boxer does not reply after four or five punches have landed, then the ref should stop it.”
Tadu said the BCF directors need to put in place tough measures so there is not a repeat of such fatal incident.
He said with the investigation going the boxing promotions must go on.
“We’ve got understand that a lot of people depend on the sport for their everyday living.
“The show must go on but for stronger rules to be enforced for the safety of all.”
Tadu started his boxing career in 1979 and he had 87 fights with 73 wins, 7 draws and 7 losses.
He is from Cicia in Lau but came to Viti Levu with the island’s rugby team and decided to settle in Lautoka.
Tadu played rugby for Namoli in the Lautoka Rugby Union competition before he joined Bir Singh’s Boxing Club in Simla.
“I used to box in the village but in Lautoka I was introduced to Bir Singh who produced champion boxers like Nemani Waka, Bas Deo Junior and Jale Fotu.
“He also trained American Samoa’s heavyweight boxer Fossie Schmidt who went on to beat Filimoni Naliva and Sunia Cama.”
In his career Tadu had beaten top boxers like Tevita Ravuravu, and Matereti Valu.
He later joined the Sugar City Hotel Boxing Club managed by the late promoter Bala Subramani.
Tadu celebrated his 70th birthday on November 2 with the staff of the South Seas Club in Lautoka where he has been employed since 2010.
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