Former Boxing Official Subhash Appanna Calls for Transparency and a “Fresh Start” in Boxing Commission Fiji
In response to growing calls for transparency in the involvement of promoters with boxers, former Boxing Commission Fiji (BCF) official Subhash Appanna has stressed the need for a “fresh start.”
Boxing trainer and former boxer, Saimoni Taudomo, has accused the BCF of favoring the interests of certain promoters over their primary responsibility of protecting boxers. Amid allegations that promoters are exploiting boxers for personal gain, Appanna has taken decisive action. He refused to renew the promoter license for Freddy Chand of South Pacific Boxing Promotions for 2023.
“This decision was made via a BCF board resolution, and as chairman, it was my duty to implement and enforce it,” Appanna said.
Attachments sent to this newspaper outline the issues the former BCF board requested Freddy to address. However, with the arrival of a new board, these matters have not been addressed as they are seeking a “fresh start.”
A title fight has been scheduled for August 10, featuring Freddy’s boxers Shalvin Chand and Ritesh Goundar. Appanna pointed out that this title was stripped from Binnu Singh Jr without clear justification. Singh Jr reportedly wants to defend his title but has faced obstacles.
“He has also been active in the ring all this time without any push from BCF to defend the title that has been taken away from him. Who benefits from this decision?” Appanna questioned.
Singh Jr holds four titles, and it is BCF’s responsibility to direct him on which one to defend. “If one has not been defended for a while because he has been defending another title, can we really take him to task and strip him of the belt?” Appanna added.
Freddy’s next promotion is set for August 10 at Subrail Park in Labasa.