Fuzile handlers seek justice

Azinga Fuzile’s handlers are leaving no stone unturned to ensure that his recent loss to Russian Shavkat Rakhimov is overturned.

“We have even paid $10,000 (R148,526) for our protest to be heard,” said the boxer’s promoter Teris Ntutu, of Rumble Africa Promotions (Rap).

The IBF has scheduled a hearing at their headquarters in New Jersey, US, where both parties will be given an opportunity to state their case.

Fuzile is protesting his eighthround knockout loss when, ahead on points, he succumbed to Rakhimov’s straight left that dropped him twice.

Before the round Rakhimov was caught being administered with a substance that looked like smelling salts.

A few days after the fight a pile of drugs were found in Rakhimov’s hotel room.

The Russian boxer’s manager, Aleksey Titov, later claimed the stash belonged to him.

However, the SA camp is steadfast that Rakhimov cheated during the fight, and is therefore demanding the outcome to be changed into a no contest.

Ntutu said he was trying to get the Voluntary Anti Doping Agency (Vada) involved so that Rakhimov could be tested.

“We know Vada use advanced testing methods that are able to find traces of drugs even if it was used before,” he said.

Indeed a slew of boxers have been caught through the Vada testing programme.

Rakhimov’s handlers have been blaming Rap for failing to ensure that doping officials were present at the fight.

They say this was a violation of procedures of a fight of that magnitude.

“We waited for the doping officials for close to two hours together with the IBF president, but they never arrived,” said Rakhimov’s promoter, German Titov.

But Ntutu also wants the Russians to be punished if they cheated.

“I want them to be aware that they are being watched,” he said.

The winner of the fight is due to get a shot at IBF junior lightweight champion Tevin Farmer, and Ntutu feels the Russian will tone down on underhand antics due to the publicity the protest has received. – Boxing Mecca

We waited for the doping officials for close to two hours together with the IBF president, but they never arrived