The move by directors of the Boxing Commission of Fiji (BCF) to put together a 45-page booklet of regulations for all stakeholders to adhere to is a big step forward for the sport.

This was revealed in Suva by BCF chairman Adi Narayan.

Despite numerous efforts in the past decades, professional boxing in the country had been in the doldrums because of many negative factors, which tarnished its reputation.

These factors include promoters sabotaging other promotions or not paying boxers, hometown decisions by referees and judges, unfit boxers turning up to fight along with those not honouring their (signed) contract by failing to make the required weight and the list goes on.

Mr Narayan said all these regulations in the soon-to- be released booklet should be used, as a guideline for promoters, boxers, trainers, referees, judges, and those who are involved in the sport.

He said anyone found breaching these regulations, would be dealt with accordingly.

Mr Narayan also confirmed that the regulations also include boxers who are title holders but cannot go around hand picking their opponents. Instead, they are to fight those who are ranked at the top of their respective weight divisions.

Also, title holders are given a time frame to defend the title. If they fail to do this, then the title will be stripped off them.

Mr Narayan said the BCF directors would meet in Suva this Friday to discuss the boxing regulations in the book, endorse it, before it is released publicly.

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