By Monwabisi Jimlongo
What could have been a sweet revenge for Melissa Miller following her win over Sharadene Fortuin after having lost to her three times before has turned out to be a bitter pill to swallow as Boxing South Africa (BSA) told her trainer Lucky Ramagole on Wednesday that she didn’t win Sunday’s fight, which was held at the East London International Convention Centre (ICC).
And now Orlando East-based Ramagole is hurt after BSA director of operations Mandla Ntlanganiso called telling him that the boxing regulatory body’s manager in the Eastern Cape Phakamile Jacobs, who was the fight supervisor, made an error while tallying the score cards on Sunday.
Miller won Sunday’s fight and reclaimed the South African female bantamweight title by a split decision after judges Lulama Mtya and Thandi Ngodwana had her winning by 95-94 and 97-93 respectively while Allen Matakane gave the fight to Fortuin (96-94).
“They called me saying that Jacobs made an error. I told them that they were late by three days as the error should have been rectified on Sunday. They said that they picked the error when they looked at the score cards. I don’t know why this is happening. This is hurting me because it’s not the first time that they do something bad to us. I’m getting the same treatment I got in 2021. I’m hurt, I’m hurt. It seems as if there’s someone who’s fighting me,” Ramagole said.
A statement from BSA said on Wednesday: “Boxing South Africa would like to inform boxing stakeholders and the public with regards to the incorrect calculation and decision on the South African female bantamweight title fight between Sharadene Fortuin (champion) and Melissa Miller (challenger). The fight was held at East London ICC on Sunday, 2 July 2023 and Melissa Miller was incorrectly announced as the winner and champion by a split decision. Upon verification and scrutiny of the score cards, the three judges scored the fight as follows: judge Matakane scored the fight (96-94) – Fortuin, judge Mtya scored the fight (95-95) – draw, judge Ngodwana scored the fight (93-97) – Miller. This therefore means the decision announced on Sunday is annulled and the correct decision for this fight is a draw and the champion Sharadene Fortuin must retain her title.
“The fight supervisor provided an incorrect decision to be announced and it is appropriate that the error be rectified to promote fair play in the sport. We wish to humbly apologise to Miller and team for this inconvenience. Boxing South Africa will follow-up with internal consequence management.”
Called for a comment, Ntlanganiso said: “When an error has occurred, it has to be rectified. Painful as it is, it has to be rectified.”
Efforts to get a comment from Jacobs drew a blank as his cellphone rang unanswered.
