Ramadan stranded in Zim

TANZANIAN boxer Kamanji Ramadan was left stranded at a Harare hotel after Friday’s match as he could not access his payment.

The boxer, who was booked at Holiday Inn, had to count double losses after he was defeated by Chamunorwa “Sting” Gonorenda in the WBF Africa cruiser-weight title fight inside a minute and 37 seconds.

The Zimbabwe National Boxing Control Board could not comment on the issue as they professed ignorance of what transpired.

Kalakoda Promotion and Kwese Sport were the promoters of Friday night’s boxing bill and had the money deposited in the ZNBCB account.

But the boxers could not access their payments.

Sources said Ramadan was left stranded and had to seek help from local promoters who expressed disappointment with how the boxers were treated.

“We are not happy with the way the boxers were treated. How can they be expected to be paid in local currency when the promoters had promised them United States dollars?

‘’This is not good for our reputation as a nation and for the sport as well.

“I think there was something which the promoters missed out on as they had deposited the money into the union’s account. It is bad to have foreign promoters bringing fights without the help of locals promoters who are better positioned to organise matches, especially the high-profile ones.

“It is becoming the norm that the local promoters are sidelined only to be involved when there is a crisis and as I speak we are not sure where the other guys are,” said the sources.

Richard Hondo, who is the board chairman, said he was not in a position to comment as he did not attend the show.

“I am not feeling well and I was given bed rest by the doctor so I was nowhere near the venue. I heard everything went on well,” said Hondo.

Another board member and boxing trainer, Thomas Kambuyi, said everything went on well and they are happy with the way the promoters handled the show.