Hear Us Out

The manager of ousted Fiji cruiserweight champion, Alifereti Kauyaca, is calling for the removal of Gyan Singh from the Boxing Commission of Fiji (BCF) board due to conflict of interest.

This is after Singh had lodged an official complaint regarding the alleged use of cement plaster by Alifereti Kauyaca against Joseph Kwadjo at the Vodafone Arena in Suva on March 2.

"Before the fights, all boxers' gloves were inspected by the BCF officials in order to get them verified and approved for the fight," manager Isikeli Navuni said.

"Singh is the father of Ubyad Haider (formerly known as Nathan Singh) and Sebastian Singh who Kauyaca had defeated in Nadi.

So it's a conflict of interest as he's a member of BCF."

Kauyaca, who is unbeaten, hails from Bukuya in Ba.

Navuni said they did not use any materials, which is illegal in the sport of boxing in Fiji.

"I'm pleading for Gyan Singh to step down from BCF due to conflict of interest as his sons are also boxers with Sebastian losing to Kauyaca, so it is political," he said.

"We have respected and accepted BCF decision regarding the stripping of the cruiserweight title from Kauyaca."

Navuni said they were looking forward to a rematch with Kwadjo as the cruiserweight title was currently vacant.

"BCF has confirmed a rematch with Kwadjo maybe earlier or later this year. We are fortunate that Kauyaca was not banned," he said.

"The BCF did not invite me and Kauyaca to the meeting that was held in Nadi on Thursday to hear our side of the story.

Narayan Clarifies:

BCF chairman Narayan said they did not consider Kauyaca and Navuni to be present at the meeting in Nadi due to the evidence against them.

"They were caught in the act so what's the point of us calling them in front of the board when our board of directors and two witnesses

from the opponents camp were present," he said.

"They were un-bandaged and they were given proper bandage by Winston Hill, so it was evidence of a crime."

Narayan said there was no conflict of interest with Singh and Alifereti Kauyaca.

"Kauyaca was not fighting Gyan Singh's son, he was fighting Joseph Kwadjo and Kwadjo has no relation whatsoever with Singh,"

he said.

"They were caught. Bandages they used were illegal and they accepted it that is why it was changed."

Narayan said the illegal wraps were caught before the gloves were out.

"The illegal wrap was taken off and proper wrap was put on, followed by the gloves," he said.

"The solution was passed, and we decided on the action to be taken and the spokesperson is the chairman."

However, Singh was Kwadjo's trainer when he fought Joy Ali in 2009.

Narayan said the media could not interview the BCF board of directors.

This is after SUNsports had requested Narayan for Singh to comment on the matter.

Despite the stripping of Kauyaca's title, he is allowed by the BCF to fight in the South Pacific Boxing Promotion on May 18 at Prince

Charles Park, Nadi.

Feedback: ioane.asioli@fijisun.com.fj