By Monwabisi Jimlongo
Andile Mshumpela has disputed claims that his two rated junior-lightweight boxers declined an offer to fight against Asanda Gingqi in a vacant title contest thus making way for unrated Sifiso Hlongwane to clash with the Mdantsane boxer last Sunday.
In a letter he sent to acting Boxing South Africa (BSA) chief executive officer Erick Nsikayezwe Sithole and outgoing chairperson of the ratings committee Andre de Vries on Thursday, Mshumpela asked both gentlemen to furnish him with proof that he wrote step aside letters to BSA.
Mshumpela petitioned BSA after reports said that all the boxers rated from number two downwards declined an offer to face newly-crowned champion Gingqi in a vacant SA junior-lightweight title fight.
“I would like to be urgently furnished with the information or any documentation that was received from my boxers or myself as their manager declining for them to fight for the then junior-lightweight title. As far as I am concerned as the manager of Siphosethu Mvula (rated number 7) and Phila Mpontshane (rated number 5) in the junior-lightweight division in South Africa I was never consulted or asked if my boxers have any interest or not to fight for the then vacant junior-lightweight South African title,” Mshumpela said.
“Further, my boxers were never asked or consulted by anyone in respect of whether they have interest or not in fighting for the then vacant junior-lightweight title. It should be noted that anyone who is claiming to have information from me as their manager or from these boxers declining the opportunity to fight for the then vacant junior-lightweight title is very economical in telling the truth.”
Mshumpela added: “I am therefore giving Boxing South Africa (BSA) at least 7 days to provide me with the information or documentation that my boxers declined fighting for the aforementioned South African title. Furthermore, I can also be furnished as to why they were not considered to fight for the title as they are in the top ten in terms of the South African ratings in their division. My understanding is that when a boxer is in the top ten is eligible to fight for a South African title.”
Contacted for comment, Sithole said on Friday: “I have seen the email, but I have not responded yet.”
De Vries said: “Even if other boxers had declined to fight for the SA title, last Sunday’s fight shouldn’t have been a title fight. Hlongwane didn’t qualify to fight for the SA title.”
