Pro-boxing promoters face stern punishment

Dar es Salaam. Tanzania’s Professional Boxing Committee says they will take disciplinary action against promoters, Jay Msangi and Kaike Siraju for violating the regulations of professional boxing.

Msangi through Hall of Fame Boxing Promotion staged a fight at the Kinesi ground involving boxers, Mfaume Mfaume and Habib Pengo who fought for the vacant East and Central African Professional Boxing Federation Super Lightweight title.

Kaike staged a fight at the Jamhuri Stadium in Morogoro Region pitting Twaha Kiduku against Chimwemwe Chiotcha of Zambia, whereby the duo fought for the vacant East and Central African Professional Boxing Federation Super Welterweight title.The committee Secretary General, Yahya Poli said the two promoters did not honor their obligations as per National Sports Council (NSC) that gave them a mandate to supervise the matches in the country. Poli explained that the promoters were given an alert about their bouts and the regulations to observe, but they deliberately did not follow them and staged the bouts without permits.

He said they made efforts to inform them to make sure they honored the regulations, a move that did not bear fruit as they went on their own. “Even our officials were not allowed to attend the fight staged by Msangi as some of them were required to pay entrance fees. All these obstacles were intended to stop us from performing our duties. For the sake of promoting the game, we did not take any action, but the committee is going to meet and discuss the matter before announcing what disciplinary actions to be taken against them,” said Poli.

According to Poli, any promoter who does not have their licence is strictly not allowed to organise a professional bout in the country. He clarified that promoters were required to pay Sh50, 000 so they could be endorsed to stage their fights in the country.

He also cleared the air that referees and time keepers are each required to pay Sh50,000 including professional boxers, who will each have to pay Sh12, 000 annually while a coach will pay Sh20, 000.

He also explained that any local professional boxer travelling abroad will have to pay five per cent of his or her money.