A TWIST to the main bout of this Saturday’s Kings Boxing Promotion event in Suva sees Mikaele Ravalaca facing a new opponent, after Rohit Chauhan of India pulled out from the fight.
Ravalaca will now fight India’s Digari Mahesh for the WBA Oceania Lightweight title, which was confirmed by promoter Nahroon Buksh in a press conference yesterday.
Buksh emphasised the promotion believed in providing the best for boxing fans.
“First of all, King’s Boxing Promotion believes in giving the best to the boxing fans,” Buksh said.
The promoter explained Chauhan’s airfares were paid, contract signed and also produced a medical certificate.
“There’s nothing from our end; we are all clear. We have done our work on time and as required,” he added.
This was after Boxing Commission of Fiji chairman, Adi Narayan, explained Chauhan “backed out” from the bout in the last minute.
“Reason that was given to us is not satisfactory; we are very disappointed after the promoter (Buksh) has paid the airfares, and not only for him (but) his manager, plus another person to come with him.
Narayan said the matter would be taken up to the Indian Boxing Council and the World Boxing Association.
Meanwhile, Ravalaca, also present at the conference, told reporters he had been studying his new opponent closely.
“I’ve been studying him and I know he’s training well. He was supposed to fight last week in Australia and I know he’s in camp,” the title holder from Ra said.
“I know he’s in camp and I don’t underestimate him because he knows I’m already training and he will be ready for this fight.”
This Saturday, the gates of the Vodafone Arena will open at 1pm.
The promotion begins from 3pm, with four exhibition fights and 15 professional bouts confirmed.
