Title stripped

KAUYACA LOSES CRUISERWEIGHT BELT

FIJI’s cruiserweight champion Alifereti Kauyaca has been stripped of his title after he was caught with a plaster-like substance in his hand wrap before the fight against Joseph Kwadjo at the Blue Water Boxing Promotion two week’s ago.

Kauyaca was found to have the unauthorised substance in his hand wrap prior to the fight and was instructed to remove it before proceeding with the bout.

Boxing Commission of Fiji chairman Adi Narayan revealed that Kauyaca was caught by the director of Fiji Boxing, Gyan Singh, using the unapproved hand wrap.

“It was found before the fight and it was removed, a lot of unnecessary comments on social media regarding the issue, just want to clear this out,” said Narayan.

“We have stripped the title from Kauyaca after a board meeting. This is really a serious matter and we are trying to work on it so it doesn’t happen again.

“The title is now vacant. Kauyaca is not suspended, he can still fight for the title, it was just a warning.”

With the title now vacant, other boxers have the opportunity to compete for the championship.

Narayan emphasised the importance of clean and fair fights in boxing and expressed a commitment to upholding the integrity of the sport, and to prevent similar incidents in the future new measures have been implemented.

“The referee will conduct thorough checks on hand wraps before fights, with the board director and the opponent’s camp present as witnesses,” Narayan said.

“Post-fight checkups will also be performed to ensure compliance with regulations and fairness in competition.”