FUZILE’S PROTEST TO BE HEARD
Russian boxer Rakhimov must explain use of smelling salts
The protest of Duncan Village boxer Azinga Fuzile will finally be heard after the IBF scheduled a hearing on November 6 in the US.
Fuzile is protesting his loss to Russian Shavkat Rakhimov after he was knocked out in eight rounds of their IBF world junior lightweight title eliminator in East London last month.
Rakhimov was caught on video being administered with a substance that looked like smelling salts before the start of the eighth round.
Subsequently a pile of drugs was discovered in the Russian’s hotel room.
Fuzile’s promoter, Rumble Africa Promotions (Rap), and Boxing SA, lodged the complaint regarding Rakhimov’s use of smelling salts which are prohibited by the regulatory body.
After a lengthy delay, the IBF, whose president Daryl Peoples attended the fight, finally replied to Rap and BSA.
Rap chairman Teris Ntutu confirmed that the IBF response was received, inviting both parto a hearing in New Jersey, US.
“Yes, we received the response and we will go to the hearing to state our case,” he said.
BSA boss Tsholofelo Lejaka also admitted the IBF wrote back to them regarding the complaint they had lodged about the Russian’s misconduct. “The IBF responded to us, but we are still trying to establish if we will also be required to go to the hearing,” he said.
In the meantime, BSA is demanding answers from the Russian boxing commission about Rakhimov’s antics.
However, no response has been received from Russia after a letter was sent on October 3.
Lejaka said the body has since sent more correspondence to the commission as well as to Rakhimov.
“In our first letter we did not include the boxer but dealt with the commission only,” Lejaka said.
“Now we have also written to the boxer to explain himself, and have given him until October 23 to do so.”
Rakhimov’s camp confirmed receiving the invite from the IBF to attend the hearing.
“Yes, we received the letter and we will be going there to state our case,” said Rakhimov’s manager Aleksey Titov. “We are happy that we will get an opportunity to state our side of the story and clear up all this confusion. We have been accused of this and that, but now we will put all this to an end.”
If the hearing outcome is in favour of Fuzile, he will proceed to challenge IBF champion Tevin Farmer.
Ntutu said even if the hearing goes against them he would be happy to have flagged Rakhimov’s antics.
“At least he will be aware that people are watching him and tone it down if he ends up challenging Farmer,” he said.