Two heavyweight boxers have been suspended for four months by the Boxing Commission of Fiji following an incident during a match on Saturday at Lawaqa Park in Sigatoka. The suspension was announced after a meeting between Minister of Youth and Sports Jese Saukuru and BCF chairman Adi Narayan.
The boxing match involved Fiji heavyweight champion James ‘The Beast’ Singh and Semi Dauloloma. Minister Saukuru expressed his disappointment and emphasized the need for immediate action after the fight, which Narayan described as a disgrace to the sport. He stated that the ministry will not tolerate such behavior in professional boxing and that both boxers failed to demonstrate the sportsmanship expected of champions.
Following consultations with the Minister of Sports, the BCF has decided to suspend both boxers for four months, allowing them to return in 2025 with a clean slate. Narayan indicated that this suspension serves as a critical message to all boxers in the sport.
During the match, tensions escalated when Singh punched Dauloloma while both were on the canvas. This was their third encounter, and earlier in the fight, Singh had been knocked down by a hook from Dauloloma. The situation deteriorated further when Singh continued to land punches on Dauloloma while they were on the ground, leading to intervention from the referee and other officials. The fight was ultimately stopped and ruled a no-contest.
Singh remains the reigning heavyweight champion of Fiji, retaining the title amidst the controversy.