JAMES Singh and Semi Dauloloma have been suspended from all Boxing Commission of Fiji (BCF) sanctioned promotions for the next four months.
BCF chairman Adi Narayan made the ruling yesterday following discussions with his board members and the Minister of Youth and Sports, Jese Saukuru.
The heavyweight fight between Singh and Dauloloma was the headline of the weekend as it descended into chaos at Lawaqa Park, Sigatoka, forcing Narayan to rule the bout a no contest, citing misconduct from both corners.
Narayan was advised by the Sports Minister to act fairly and according to the rules of the sport and “bring down the hammer to those in question”.
He labelled the incident as barbaric, a disgrace and one that would not be tolerated.
“Both boxers’ licence will be on hold for the next four months. They will not be allowed to engage in any BCF licenced promotion,” Narayan said.
“Both had committed fouls, it’s not going to be entertained.
“Singh started it and Semi ended it. If Semi had taken that five-minute break and recovered, the referee would have continued the fight, but he chose to do what he did, and both must be penalised for their actions.”
He also cited the rule that governed his decision to call the fight a no contest.
“I am being challenged as to why it is so, well here is the rule; a no contest verdict is given only when the two contestants are not doing their best when both repeatedly ignore the rules or disobey, which they did. That’s the rule and it’s very clear.
“What they have done is a disgrace to both. They should be role models for the younger generation coming up and that is a shame,” Narayan said.
The suspension, however, does not affect Singh’s hold on the heavyweight title.
“The belt remains with Singh because he is a champion,” he said.
“The contest for the belt did not continue because of the foul committed.
“He can hold on to his belt. When we bring him back in January and we will tell him, one more of this and your belt will be pulled away.
“He was the champion, the contest did not go through, it must be won at a contest, it wasn’t completed so it remains with him.”
The corner man who joined the scuffle is understood to be Dauloloma’s father and he has been banned for life from all BCF licenced promotions.
BCF will formally lodge a report with the Sigatoka Police to charge him with assault.
