An exhibition boxing event was canceled last Saturday at Subrail Park in Labasa due to a scheduling conflict, according to Freddy Chand, promoter for South Pacific Boxing. The venue was also reserved for a church service that evening, resulting in the cancellation of the scheduled bouts.
Chand stated that neither the promoter nor the Boxing Commission Fiji should be held accountable for the situation. He placed the responsibility on the Labasa Town Council for the oversight.
“The limited timeframe meant that no exhibition bouts could take place,” Chand noted, expressing disappointment for the boxers and their supporters. Some attendees requested a partial refund of their ticket prices since the anticipated fights did not occur.
Despite the disappointment, Chand remarked that “many hidden talents were showcased.”
In response to the incident, Labasa Town Council Chair Paul Jaduram explained that the double booking arose due to an outdated scheduling system. He assured that this issue has been addressed and emphasized that it would not happen again.
Jaduram acknowledged that similar conflicts had affected other events as well and assured that staff have been instructed to prevent such occurrences in the future. He extended his apologies to the promoters, organizers, and spectators for any disruption caused.