Fuzile IBF appeal ruling expected in January
After a veil of secrecy over the status of Duncan Village boxer Azinga Fuzile’s appeal, it has been revealed the matter will be finalised on January 15.
Fuzile lodged an appeal with the International Boxing Federation over his stoppage loss to Russian Shavkat Rakhimov in an IBF junior lightweight title eliminator in East London in September.
This after the Russian was caught on video being administered what looked like smelling salts, which are banned in boxing.
Trailing on points, Rakhimov appeared resigned to the loss until he was seen smelling the substance while resting in his corner before the start of round eight.
On viewing the video, Fuzile’s handlers — including his manager, Colin Nathan, and promoter, Rumble Africa Promotions (RAP) — immediately lodged the protest to the IBF whose president Darly Peoples was present at the fight.
The IBF scheduled a hearing on November 6 at its headquarters in New Jersey, US, which was attended by Nathan and Rakhimov’s handlers.
However no word came out on whether the hearing actually took place with Fuzile camp keeping mum while the Russians claimed that the hearing never sat.
“The hearing was postponed and we are waiting from the IBF for the way forward,” Rakhimov’s manager, Aleskey Titov, said at the time.
The Russians had made counter accusations, blaming RAP for not ensuring the presence of dope officials.
They also complained about the absence of fight inspectors.
RAP have finally come out and revealed there were outstanding issues regarding the hearing. “We can confirm that for the November 6 hearing there were outstanding issues which led to a postponement,” RAP boss Nomfesane Nyathela said. “But these have since been sorted out and the outcome should be known by January 15.” The winner of the fight was scheduled to earn an IBF title shot to champion Tevin Farmer.
Titov said the camp was planning to organise a bout for Rakhimov in the meantime while waiting for the IBF ruling.
“We are toying with the idea of giving Rakhimov a fight in January so that he does not get rusty,” he said.
Even if the IBF rules in favour of Rakhimov, the Russian will not get an immediate crack at Farmer as the American has a scheduled bout against Olympian Joseph Diaz on a date yet to be confirmed.
“We can only get our chance after Farmer has fought Diaz, hence we want to keep Rakhimov active.”