Mudaliar Wants Title ‘Mess’ Cleared
Controversy over the rightful holders of boxing titles has again reared its ugly head.
Suva boxer Krishnil Mudaliar claimed yesterday that he is the holder of the Fiji lightweight title.
“I won that title from Junior Farzan Ali at the Vodafone Arena in Suva on March 14, 2020,” he said.
“After the fight, I was given the wrong title, which was the super featherweight and it belonged to my brother Sachin.
“I was told that I’ll be given the right one later. I accepted that in good faith as we are all humans and we make mistakes.”
Mudaliar said the only reason he came out publicly was because of the recent official launch of the Fiji lightweight title fight between Nathan Singh and Ronald Naidu by Bula Boxing Promotion on July 9 at Prince Charles Park, Nadi.
“That title is not vacant because I’ve not given it up. I’m the champion still waiting to be given the title. I need to be defending it. This is a mess.”
According to BoxRec, the Mudaliar v Farzan fight in March 2020 was for the Fiji lightweight title.
When contacted Boxing of Fiji chairman Subhash Appana said the March 14, 2020 fight poster didn’t show it as a title fight.
“The programme however shows it as a S (Super)-Featherweight title fight,” he said.
“Anyway, neither (Usman) Lale (BCF director) nor Krishnil ever raised with me that he had to be belted later.
“I never knew about this, but was aware that Krishnil had a title.
“I called Krishnil’s brother Sachin about his belt and he said he couldn’t make weight anymore. I then asked about Krishnil and he said Kris was also in the same boat.
“We then declared both belts vacant and one is up for July 9. Tomu Gaunavou gave up his super middleweight title for the same reasons.”
Appana said another issue was that boxers have been demanding for high purses of $8000 and this resulted in their failure to defend their titles within the stipulated 12 months and are stripped of it.
Feedback: leonec@fijisun.com.fj
