Boxing South Africa (BSA) has received a complaint from female boxer Abongile Lubambo’s handlers following Sunday’s stoppage loss to Azasakhe Jamani.
Team Lubambo argued in the letter that fight referee Simphiwe Gceba erred by ending the bout prematurely. They further argued that the 30-year-old Lubambo was decked by an illegal blow and alleged that Gceba did nothing to protect her.
The letter from Team Lubambo reads: “This email serves as a formal complaint for the bout that happened between Abongile Lubambo and Azasakhe Jamani in the tournament held by Xaba Boxing Promotions which was held on 01/10/2023 at the Orient Theatre.
“As Team Lubambo we are hereby appealing the decision made by the referee of this bout. Our boxer was punched behind the head which is a dangerous and illegal blow in the 2nd round of the fight. Instead of ruling that as no knockdown, warning the opponent and giving our charge up to 5 minutes to recover, the referee started counting for our boxer. Not only that, after our boxer survived the 8 count the referee asked if she was ready to continue and the boxer responded positively, then out of the blue the referee waved the fight off without a reason. Team Lubambo would like Boxing South Africa to order an immediate rematch between the two boxers as we feel the referee erred massively on this bout.”
Ink Sport contacted BSA Eastern Cape provincial manager Phakamile Jacobs, who said: “We are going to deal with this case.”
