The Boxing Commission of Fiji has suspended the licenses of two heavyweight boxers for four months following a violent incident during a match. This decision was made after Minister of Youth and Sports Jese Saukuru expressed his disappointment and called for swift action after an altercation at Lawaqa Park in Sigatoka last Saturday involving Fiji heavyweight champion James ‘The Beast’ Singh and Semi Dauloloma.
BCF chairman Adi Narayan described the incident as a disgrace to the sport after a meeting with the Minister. He stated, “As the chairman of the Boxing Commission of Fiji, I am very disturbed to witness such an incident.” Narayan emphasized the Ministry’s intolerance for such behavior in professional boxing, stating the expectation for champion boxers to demonstrate sportsmanship.
Both Singh and Dauloloma have been suspended for the next four months but will be able to start anew in 2025. Narayan remarked that this suspension serves as a warning to all boxers. He mentioned that had Dauloloma taken a brief pause during the fight, he would have likely secured a victory.
The dispute escalated during their heavyweight title fight when Singh struck Dauloloma while they were down on the canvas. This match marked their third encounter, during which Singh was initially knocked down in the first round but continued to fight. In the second round, while on the ropes, Singh and Dauloloma ended up on the ground after a series of punches. Singh hit Dauloloma twice while they were on the floor, prompting referee Fatu Tuimanono to intervene as the two fighters struggled to break free. Officials attempted to calm the situation as tempers flared and punches were exchanged among the fighters’ corners, leading to a further escalation, which included a blow to a ring official.
The fight was ultimately halted and declared a no-contest, with Singh retaining his title as the heavyweight champion.