By Monwabisi Jimlongo
Boxers manager Ntsikelelo ‘Gamala’ Matikinca from Gamala Boxing Foundation Management has filed a complaint to Boxing South Africa (BSA) against ring official Namhla Tyuluba.
The Eastern Cape-born fight judge and referee was seen on television ‘elbowing’ Luvo Xhomfu while she was trying to separate him from Siyabulela Hem during the two boxers’ fight at the Orlando Community Hall in Soweto on Sunday.
“I want BSA to do something against her for what she did to my boxer” Matikinca told Ink Sport on Thursday.
In a letter he sent to BSA on Wednesday, Matikinca wrote: “We as Gamala Boxing Foundation Management would like to complain about bad officiating of Miss Namhla Tyuluba. On the 20th August at Orlando Community Hall in Xaba Boxing Promotions. Miss Tyuluba was the ref in charge between our boxer Luvo Xhomfu v Siyabulela Hem. She assaulted Mr Luvo Xhomfu by hitting him with her elbow two times in his chest.”
Matikinca added that he didn’t see what Tyuluba allegedly did unti Xhomfu told him after the fight. And that he also saw the incident on a clip of the fight.
“I just realised that my boxer was not protected at all in that ring because he was fighting two people at the very same time. As much as I was not happy with the results of the fight, now it’s very clear to us,” Matikinca said.
Responding to Matikinca’s letter, BSA’s provincial manager in Gauteng Hloks Ramagole wrote: “The complaint brought to my attention is noted and will be attended to and communicated with my principals. I will revert to you after the office has done its investigation. On the other hand, if you are not happy with the results, BSA has a fight review process, a route welcomed any time a camp is dissatisfied with fight results.”
