The Bluewater Boxing promotion in Sigatoka on Saturday showcased some exciting bouts but highlighted several issues that the Boxing Commission of Fiji (BCF) needs to address.
Chief among these concerns is the security of everyone involved, boxers, fans, match officials, and judges.
During the heavyweight title fight between James Singh and Semi Dauloloma, several fans breached the ring due to inadequate crowd control, leading to a brawl that only stopped when referees and a few police officers intervened.
BCF chairman Adi Narayan criticised the situation, labeling it as “unprofessional,” and decided to call the fight a no contest, citing misconduct from both corners.
“This is not professional at all,” said BCF chairman Adi Narayan.
“It was my decision to call the fight a no contest as both corners were wrong in their part,” Narayan added.
The BCF will review footage of the incident and take appropriate action.
At the conclusion of the main bout, disappointed fans could be heard shouting vulgarities.
Frustrated by the outcome of the Jr Binnu Singh v Krishnil Mudaliar fight, some spectators vented their anger towards the judges, the Boxing Commission of Fiji, and the promoters.
Unfortunately, there was no security present to manage the situation or prevent these outbursts.
Additionally, the event suffered from significant scheduling issues.
A planned 10-minute break announced around 8pm extended to over 40 minutes, causing the main bout to commence only after 11pm.
Fans who traveled from places as distant as Naitasiri, Rakiraki, Tailevu, Ba, and Suva were frustrated by the delays, with many leaving before the main event even began.
These setbacks highlight the need for better event management and organisation to enhance the experience for attendees.
As professional boxing strives to elevate its standards, addressing these issues will be crucial for ensuring future events run smoothly and meet the expectations of fans and participants alike.
Meanwhile, in other bouts on the evening, Siliveni Nawai and Simione Tui’s bout ended in a draw, Rakuro Daunivavana beat Ronald Naidu as Naidu’s corner threw in the towel after the third round, the women’s bout between ended in a draw, Samuela Naqari beat Kolinio Luvelolo by an unanimous points decision, Masitogi Rokotuva stopped Mohammed Ali in the third round, the fight between Junior Mana and Lepani Levatia ended in a draw, Junior Abhay Chand stopped Tomasi Vunavou in the second round, Azhar Khan won by points over Nitin Lal while Mohammed Nafiz also had an unanimous points decision win over Shefrazud Dean.
