Running away from facing a possible legal challenge from the World Boxing Federation (WBF), Joshua Studdard has decided to return the WBF International belt to avoid digging deep into his pockets.
Studdard was announced as the winner of the WBF International bantamweight bout against Akani Sambu in Pretoria almost three weeks ago. However, the outcome of the bout was reversed 15 minutes later after WBF president Howard Goldberg, who was the fight supervisor, discovered that two of the judges had made errors.
Studdard held on to the belt despite Sambu having been announced as the winner by a unanimous decision.
“I’m pleased that he has done the right thing. We hope to move forward now. We understand he was disappointed. It’s terrible when you are announced as the winner and you think you have won the belt,” Goldberg said.
“I sympathise with Studdard. I don’t think he acted in the right way, he was emotional. Credit to him for doing the right thing.”
Meanwhile, Cape Town-based Goldberg has revealed that Sambu might be back in action in two months’ time.
