Rules assist in lifting boxing standard

Rules are necessary for any organisation and Boxing Commission of Fiji (BCF) is no different. According to BCF chairman Subash Appana rules have assisted then lift the sport boxing out of the shambles could have led to its total demise not too long ago.

Appana made those remarks in response to South Pacific Boxing Promotions (SPBP) Director Mohammed Shameem’s quitting from promoting local boxing schemes.

Vancouver based Shameen has hosted 14 boxing programs featuring local boxers the last five years.

After his latest programme at Prince Chares Park on Saturday, Shameen called it quits.

“It is Shameem’s right to withdraw his sponsorship of South Pacific Boxing Promotions. This tells me that he has effectively done that,” Appanacsaid.

“This is sad for all of us. I, as Chairman, have had the unenviable task of enforcing rules across the board. This appears to have made me look difficult,” he said.

“Unfortunately, rules are necessary for any organisation. It is these same rules that have helped us lift Fiji Boxing out of the shambles that could have led to its demise not too long ago.”

Appana thanked Shameem for his involvement and sponsorship of SPBP to assist Fiji Boxing.

“We wish him well as we, Fiji Boxing move on from here without one of our stalwarts,” he said.

“About signing of boxers three months in advance, we have no problems if it doesn’t result in poaching to sabotage programmes of other promoters.”

Ring announcement

Appana also clarified tha issue about the ring announcer: “About the mic, I asked Shameem to hire a Ring Announcer as per the rules because it had been observed that a professional was needed to make the programmes more professional.

“There was a huge tug-of-war after that as Shameem threatened to withdraw from Fiji Boxing. We then allowed him to do just the two main bouts.

“You will note how he bungled things last Saturday when announcing King Davidson’s fight. We still had an understanding with him that he would announce only two fights.”

Shameem said that he was working with his counterparts to host programmes in Australia from next year.

Shameem said the decision to pull out was not an easy one.