Sijuta Promotions boss Andile Sidinile has vowed that his boxers will never fight for SA titles again after yet another injustice meted out to them.In an unprecedented occurrence Sidinile was again denied an opportunity to promote an SA title between long-time contender Sithembiso Faye and Lindile Tshemese when Boxing SA sanctioning committee had already rubber-stamped the fight for last Friday.
The title is said to be vacant but BSA chairwoman Ntambi Ravele could not give a clear answer when asked about that.
The title has been a bone of contention since Siphosethu Mvula declared it vacant from Unathi Gqokoma two years ago.
Mvula’s qualifying for the title raised a few eyebrows as he never beat a rated opponent as per a rule.
To add insult to injury Mvula was the substitute for Zolani Tete who was initially slated to face Gqokoma but suffered an inexplicable illness causing the fight to be postponed, which later proved to be a blessing in disguise as he landed a bigger fish when he was mandated to contest for the IBF world title eliminator against Mexican Juan Carlos Sanchez who he stopped in 10 rounds.
Tete would go on to win the IBF world title beating Japanese Teiru Kinoshita and defending it against Paul Butler in England.
Throughout this period Mvula did not attempt to defend his own SA title, instead jumping two divisions to fight in the junior-featherweight division.
Incredibly he was not ordered to defend the title nor stripped to pave the way for other boxers to contest for it.
When Faye and Thembelani Maphuma were already set to fight for the vacant title they were interdicted leading to them fighting for another marginal crown.
Finally, Mvula reportedly renounced the title as it was listed as vacant in the latest ratings, opening the way for Faye to finally fight for it.
But lo be and behold it proved not to be at the last minute.
Sidinile was informed just hours before the fight when the boxers had already weighed in that Section 17 could not be adhered to, so the title would not be at stake.
Asked what the section is all about Ravele said she was not in a position to explain it.
“Ask those who told you because they are the ones who brought this issue to the media without first engaging with us,” said Ravele.
In light of the above Sidinile says his boxers will never fight for SA titles again.
Sidinile mad as a Raging Bull in title fight injustice
The title is said to be vacant but BSA chairwoman Ntambi Ravele could not give a clear answer when asked about that.
The title has been a bone of contention since Siphosethu Mvula declared it vacant from Unathi Gqokoma two years ago.
Mvula’s qualifying for the title raised a few eyebrows as he never beat a rated opponent as per a rule.
To add insult to injury Mvula was the substitute for Zolani Tete who was initially slated to face Gqokoma but suffered an inexplicable illness causing the fight to be postponed, which later proved to be a blessing in disguise as he landed a bigger fish when he was mandated to contest for the IBF world title eliminator against Mexican Juan Carlos Sanchez who he stopped in 10 rounds.
Tete would go on to win the IBF world title beating Japanese Teiru Kinoshita and defending it against Paul Butler in England.
Throughout this period Mvula did not attempt to defend his own SA title, instead jumping two divisions to fight in the junior-featherweight division.
Incredibly he was not ordered to defend the title nor stripped to pave the way for other boxers to contest for it.
When Faye and Thembelani Maphuma were already set to fight for the vacant title they were interdicted leading to them fighting for another marginal crown.
Finally, Mvula reportedly renounced the title as it was listed as vacant in the latest ratings, opening the way for Faye to finally fight for it.
But lo be and behold it proved not to be at the last minute.
Sidinile was informed just hours before the fight when the boxers had already weighed in that Section 17 could not be adhered to, so the title would not be at stake.
Asked what the section is all about Ravele said she was not in a position to explain it.
“Ask those who told you because they are the ones who brought this issue to the media without first engaging with us,” said Ravele.
In light of the above Sidinile says his boxers will never fight for SA titles again.
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