Cape Town-based boxing promoter Byenda Allen Chizungu stands accused of doing things the other way round as he allegedly charges boxers in order for them to fight in his tournaments.
Jose Kadima from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) travelled deom Durban to Cape Town after signing a contract for a fight against Didier Nyembwe in a heavyweight contest. Kadima was told before the weigh-in that Nyembwe had been involved in a car accident.
“I paid our airfares and accommodation. I also paid my fighter’s purse. After being told that the fight was cancelled, I then made sure that I got the purse money back,” said Kadima’s trainer and manager Sean McMinnie.
“Obviously, our flight and accommodation costs were supposed to be refunded. But you know how the system and the guys are.”
At least more than six boxers told Ink Sport that they paid their own purses before they could fight in Chizungu’s tournament.
However, Chizungu vehemently denied boxers pay him in order for them to fight in his tournaments.
“I really don’t know what they are talking about. How did they pay me? There is no such thing,” Chizungu remarked.
On cancelled Nyembwe fight, Chizubgu said: “Didier told me late on Thursday night that he had been involved in a car accident. That was the night before the weigh-in.”
Interestingly, a healthy-looking Nyembwe attended Saturday evening’s tournament and there are now suspicions that he was not involved in an accident.
“I didn’t see him. I think it’s because many people came to the tournament,” Chizungu said.
Meanwhile, only six South African boxers – Sandiso Centane, Asavela Peter, Mava Sitoto, Lukhangele Jamjam, Ayabulela Mngxuma and Nazrullah Nazier – out of the 14 took part in the tournament.
