Last week, we reflected on the May 1987 coup and its positive outcomes, before briefly discussing the hospitalization of Udayd Haider, a prominent local boxer who was in a coma at Lautoka Aspen Hospital. Regrettably, he has since passed away, and his funeral took place on November 13. The large turnout to pay tribute to this sporting icon was remarkable. Although I couldn’t attend due to work obligations, I would like to offer my heartfelt tribute and discuss the circumstances surrounding this tragedy in the boxing ring.
Udayd Haider, once known as Nathan Singh, briefly crossed paths with me when he was an amateur boxer. His presence in the Uptown Boxing Club was hard to miss—he had a charismatic and bold personality that drew attention. As I took on the role of Chairman of the Boxing Commission of Fiji (BCF), Nathan became a pivotal member of our boxing community alongside his father, Gyan Singh, and brother, Sebastine.
In our conversations, I found him to be charming, intelligent, and full of potential. He had a complicated past and harbored a degree of skepticism toward authority, which dissipated as we began to talk openly. His determination and political savvy were evident when he secured a meeting with the then Sports Minister, Parveen Kumar, with my endorsement to join Australia’s esteemed Dragon Fire boxing camp.
Nathan left Fiji full of hope and support, securing two wins in Australia at a time when our local fighters struggled. However, tragedy struck during a sparring session, leading to his hospitalization where he was diagnosed with a subdural hematoma, a serious condition resulting from a head injury. He chose to discharge himself but was advised to follow up with a general practitioner—a step it’s unclear he took.
Upon returning to boxing in Fiji, Nathan became a fan favorite despite his injury. His next fight, an IBO title bout against Runqi Zhou, attracted attention due to both boxers’ impressive reputations. In the lead-up to the match, there were discussions around the wisdom of his opponent choices and potential weight issues; despite this, Nathan entered the ring confident.
Following the fight, speculation began surrounding the absence of doping tests, with blame directed at multiple parties involved in the event. One of those parties is the referee, who meticulously managed the bout and made decisions based on the visible condition of the fighters. There are arguments regarding whether the fight should have been stopped earlier, but historical references highlight that referees often face public scrutiny regardless of their decisions.
The Boxing Commission of Fiji also faced criticism for the lack of doping tests, a procedure that has historically been neglected by promoters. This situation serves as a reminder of the need for stricter enforcement of such protocols to ensure fighter safety.
Haider’s own corner also bears some responsibility; it was known he had sustained a head injury yet continued to fight. The decision to allow him to keep going raises questions about the prioritization of his safety over the desire to win.
Udayd Haider was a fighter in every sense and gave his all to the sport. His loss is felt deeply, but it offers a poignant opportunity for the boxing community in Fiji to learn and grow. As we bid farewell to this champion, we hold onto hope that the lessons learned from this tragedy will contribute to a brighter future for boxing in Fiji. He will be remembered and missed profoundly.
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