Faith Foundation defies Boxing Control Board warning
Faith Foundation chairperson Dennis Tobias says the organisation will go ahead with the scheduled boxing bonanza showcasing former world champion Harry Simon and convict Paulus ‘Ninja’ Shimweefeleni at Oshakati Independence Stadium.
The boxing bonanza being extensively advertised on social media platforms will also feature Da Dilva against Mashaba before the main night event between Simon and Ninja, who earlier this year held an exhibition fight at the Windhoek Country Club.
At an impromptu media conference this week, the Namibia Professional Boxing and Wrestling Control Board (NPBWCB) through its legal representative, Ronald Kurtz, issued a stern warning to both Faith Foundation and HS Onkugo Promotions not to proceed with hosting the unsanctioned boxing event on 14 June.
Speaking on the sideline of the press briefing, Tobias said despite the crystal clear warning from the boxing control board not to go ahead with the promoted event, the scheduled boxing bonanza will go ahead as planned.
“We were guided and told to get a letter from the regional boxing chairman, which we obtained to have the exhibition fight. The fight will go on, no matter what,” he said.
“We have also engaged the regional police commander,” Tobias said.
Despite being told that they can still apply and have their application considered, Tobias said the application process would take too long.
The control board learned about the extensively advertised fight through social media and warned the public and boxing stakeholders of non-compliance with statutory requirements and HS Onkugo Promotions in relation to the event.
“The event has not received the necessary approval from the NPBWCB.”
He said while the HS Onkugo Promotions is a licensed promoter and in good standing with the control board, the promoter has, in this instance, not submitted the required documentation or obtained formal approval for the planned event as required under the Namibian Boxing and Wrestling Control Board Act of 1980.
On his part, Simon said Faith Foundation is no longer using his licence, but rather Bulelo’s licence.
“I withdrew my licence. I do not want to have problems with the boxing control board. That is why I decided to withdraw my licence,” he said.
“All I want to do is go punch the bag and show the young ones different techniques. But the boxing control board insists I must do a medical test.
“For what, if I’m not going to do some public sparring and there’s no blood involved?”
He said during the last fight against Shimweefelen, the control board did not require a medical test, “but this time they insisted”.
“Why are they insisting on a medical test if I’m only going to do a public workout?” Simon asked.
“I don’t want problems with the boxing control board,” he said.
Tobias confirmed that Simon withdrew his licence and that they are now using Bulelo’s licence.
Asked why they did not communicate the latest development to the NPBWCB, Tobias said they are now using Bulelo’s Amateur Boxing Academy from the Oshana region.
He insisted that the latest development was supposed to have been communicated to the NPBWCB by the region.
“Yes, Simon is going to do sparring, showing the children different boxing techniques,” Tobias said.
The NPBWCB said it became aware that a promotional poster has been widely circulated online and within the community, advertising an event title ‘Boxing Bonanza’, scheduled for 14 June at Oshakati Independence Stadium, featuring Simon.
The poster includes pricing for general, VIP and table tickets, which, according to the control board, is being marketed to the public as a commercial tournament.
“This constitutes a boxing tournament under Section 1 of the Act and is subject to regulation by the NPBWCB. No such regulatory application or approval has been granted.”
Kurtz said: “ The Boxing Act clearly defines a ‘tournament’ to include any event in which boxing or sparring occurs before the public, whether by way of competition, exhibition or demonstration. All such events including public sparring, open workouts and youth exhibition must be formally approved and licensed by the Board according to Section 7 (F) of the Act.”
He said Section 14 of the Boxing Act empowers the police to intervene at unlicensed events and ensure public order is maintained.
“Section 15 states that any person who contravenes the act is liable upon conviction to a fine not exceeding N$1 000 or imprisonment not exceeding six months or both.
“The board reiterates that no boxing event may legally take place in Namibia without the prior written approval of the NPBWCB.”
Kurtz strongly cautioned the public against attending, supporting or facilitating unapproved events which carry legal consequences and pose safety risks due to the absence of medical supervision, insurance coverage and proper officiating.
The post Faith Foundation defies Boxing Control Board warning appeared first on The Namibian.
