DEFENDING WBA Oceania super bantamweight champion Junior Binnu Singh will headline tonight’s King Boxing Promotion Bad Blood after the cancellation of Mikaele Ravalaca’s scheduled title fight.
Binnu will defend his regional crown against Harjot Singh. The bout is now the feature fight of the promotion.
The late change follows the withdrawal of Ravalaca’s overseas opponents.
Promoter Naroon Buksh said replacement challenger Mahesh Dingari of India failed to board his flight. Another last-minute replacement from New Zealand also did not arrive.
“We have a dramatic change in the program. Our main bout is not taking place,” Buksh said.
“I arranged replacements from India and New Zealand, but neither turned up. I had no local opponent for Mika.”
Instead, Ravalaca will take part in an exhibition contest. Four local boxers will each face him over two rounds in a format approved by the World Boxing Association and the Boxing Commission of Fiji.
Buksh confirmed Binnu’s title defence would now close the show.
“The main bout has changed now. Binnu Singh will be fighting the main bout,” he said.
Other changes have also been made to the fight card because of weight issues and non-appearances. The Boxing Commission of Fiji is expected to confirm the final programme before tomorrow’s event.
Despite the setbacks, Buksh is confident fans will still enjoy the promotion.
“There are some changes, but the boxing spirit is always there. If you want to watch boxing tomorrow, please come down and support,” he said.
With the spotlight now on him, Binnu has the opportunity to defend his WBA Oceania super bantamweight title and cap off an event that has overcome significant last-minute challenges.
Gates open at 2pm with the action beginning at 4pm at the Vodafone Arena in Suva.
