‘Honey Bee’ furious after being ‘robbed’ by judges
Despite dropping Mokebisi early in the fight, Miller lost
Melissa “Honey Bee” Miller tore into three boxing judges for what she termed a diabolical scoring of her bout against SA junior featherweight champion Matshidiso “The Wasp” Mokebisi in Welkom on Friday evening.
Judges Beauty Thuthani and Dudu Phetlhu are from the Free State, while Simon Mokadi is from Johannesburg.
They scored the bout 96-93 – all in favour of Mokebisi from Kroonstad, Free State.
Miller, who dropped Mokebisi early in the fight, said: “I have been denied a deserved victory by judges who were there to protect the local boxer. I wonder which fight did they watch and score because mine against Matshidiso was easy to score.
“That is my belt and Matshidiso knows in her heart that she lost the fight. How I wish BSA (Boxing SA) could review the fight and see if I really lost or I was robbed.”
Her trainer, Lehlohonolo Ramagole – a former boxer – was equally livid for being denied a chance to produce his first national champion.
“This is horrible and pure rubbish,” he said angrily. “These judges went into this fight with their minds already made up that they must protect the local boxer irrespective of what happens as long as she is still standing after 10 rounds.”
Mokebisi said: “Melissa was tough compared to our first fight last year but I think I won the fight tonight.”
Her trainer, Herbert Rampolokeng, said his charge did not fight according to plan. “But still, we won the fight,” he said.
Earlier in the night, Gift Pilane needed only one round to win the Free State flyweight belt against Jappie Mafatle at Lighthouse in Flamingo Park.
In other results, Tshepang Majola beat Nombulelo Didi on points over six rounds.