The handlers of Filipino boxer Lito ‘Naruto’ Dante have released a statement following the cancellation of his fight against Nhlanhla ‘Mount Kilimanjaro’ Tyirha.
Dante and Tyirha were scheduled to clash in a vacant World Boxing Organisation (WBO) Intercontinental junior-flyweight title contest at the East London International Convention Centre (ICC) this coming Sunday.
“On behalf of Team Lito Dante, I would like to clarify the misinformation regarding the reason why we cancelled Lito’s fight in Africa under Rumble Africa Boxing Promotions. It is not true that they were unable to contact us during the day of the flight,” the statement attributed to Dante’s trainer Florence Ferrer and his manager Fernando Parcon said on Friday.
“I was in communication with the promoter that day, our matchmaker was also communicating with them. The true reason why we cancelled was because they failed to pay boxer Miel Fajardo’s 10%. Miel already signed a contract with Rumble but they replaced him with Lito.”
Initially, Tyirha was set to face Pinoy boxer Miel Fajardo, but the organisers of the fight changed him and opted for a clash against Dante.
Friday’s statement added that it also became difficult for Dante to get a clearance from the Philippines Games and Amusements Board because of the 10 percent owed to Farjado.
“We cannot acquire an endorsement letter from GAB unless they pay Miel. We as a team also agree with this this because we always want to do what is fair and legal. We support Games and Amusements Board’s mandate to protect the welfare of Filipino boxers,” the statement further said.
“Up until the day of the flight we still don’t have our endorsement letter and visa. That’s the true reason why Lito was not able to board his flight last June 25. Initially, we wanted to just be silent about this but too much misinformation has been going around tainting our team and our boxer’s reputation.”
Meanwhile, former South African junior-flyweight champion Tyirha has since secured an eight rounds bout against Malawian George Kandulo.
