Former Fiji boxing champion Sebastian Singh has publicly disagreed with the Boxing Commission of Fiji’s (BCF) recent decision to strip local champions of their titles for not defending them within the mandated timeframe.
In a video response, Singh challenged the commission’s demand that boxers return their belts if they have not defended their titles.
“When there is a title fight in Fiji, there is a fee paid. They’re basically paying for the titles. And when the title is paid for, if a boxer chooses not to defend it and keep it as memorabilia, as a token of his hard work and dedication… I think that’s more than fair,” Singh said.
He also criticised the financial reality faced by champions tasked with arranging their own title defenses.
“If a boxer calls a promoter and gets offered $2000 or $3000 to defend his title, I don’t think that actually makes sense. As a champion, you should be paid accordingly. It’s not easy becoming a champion in boxing,” he added.
He questioned the origin and fairness of the commission’s new rules comparing them to standard boxing regulations adopted around the world.
“I don’t know where these rules and regulations come from because everywhere in the world, I’ve had presidents and vice-presidents of big boxing bodies message me and say nowhere in the world this happens,” Singh claimed.
BCF chairman Adi Narayan defended the decision to strip titles from champions who have not defended them, including former super-middleweight champion Siliveni Nawai and bantamweight champion Shamal Ram Anuj.
“A champion can hold onto a title after defending it three times, that’s when you can keep the title. Here, this man did not follow that and is refusing to give us the title back. So, we’ve decided to strip him and suspend him,” Narayan explained.
Narayan also stressed the responsibility of champions to actively engage promoters in arranging title defenses.
“To the current reigning champions, it is my request to you all: please, you know who you are, contact any of the promoters, sign up, because the boxing commission will act now. We must get these titles current,” he said.
Singh concluded his remarks by reminding the commission of the true challenges of boxing.
“Boxing is not an easy sport. You have stated before that you boxed, but in the world where it actually matters, where you step in the ring and get punched in the head, you have no recognition,” said the former champion.
