Suva-based boxer Krishnil Mudaliar has expressed his belief that he deserves to be the main contender for a new lightweight title. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, Mudaliar held both the Super Featherweight and Lightweight titles but lost them when the Boxing Commission of Fiji stripped boxers of their titles for not defending them within six months.
It was right after Mudaliar had clinched the Lightweight title in March 2020 by beating Junior Farzan Ali that all contact sports were discontinued due to the COVID-19 impact in Fiji. He voiced frustration over the loss of his title without the chance to defend it, stating that he was abruptly informed by then Boxing Commission of Fiji chairman Dr. Subhash Appana that all titles must be defended within a specified timeframe.
Meanwhile, Ubayd Haider and Saimoni Ratu are set to battle for the Lightweight title during August’s South Pacific Boxing Promotion in Labasa. Mudaliar expressed bewilderment at the arrangements, questioning how the contracts were finalized and why the old title is being kept alive.
At 35 years old, he urges both the promoters and the Boxing Commission of Fiji to operate within the sport’s rules. Mudaliar views the stripping of an active title as unfair and hopes to be given the opportunity to defend and hopefully regain his title against the challengers. He last battled in the ring in May, in which he was defeated by Haider at Prince Charles Park, Nadi during the South Pacific Boxing Promotion.