Mindra pins Nbo
Dec 27, 2004
THE recent death of a Ugandan boxer Mohammad Basule in Nairobi could have Kenya suspended from the international prize-fighting scene.
By James Bakama
and Phillip Corry
THE recent death of a Ugandan boxer Mohammad Basule in Nairobi could have Kenya suspended from the international prize-fighting scene.
World Boxing Council (WBC) board member Celestino Mindra has vowed to spearhead a campaign to have Kenya punished for what he describes as incompetence.
Basule died in hospital after being knocked down by Kenya’s Anthony Napunyi in a bantamweight fight.
Uganda Professional Boxing Commission (UPBC), headed by Mindra, was never informed of the fight.
Reports from Nairobi further suggest that international requirements like having a ringside doctor, stretcher and ambulance were also not met.
“Everything about that fight was wrong. Those responsible should be punished,†said Mindra stressing that he would use his positions as WBC member and Africa Boxing Union general secretary to have Kenya punished.
Mindra said he has evidence of many similar cases where Ugandan boxers have fought in Kenya without UPBC’s consent.
Basule was a last minute substitute for another Ugandan boxer Abdul Tebazalwa. That the Tebazalwa versus Napunyi fight was an African contest, has led to conclusions that there was a mismatch when Basule was introduced.
The fateful fight was only Basule’s third. It was barely two months since the boxer’s last contest.
Mindra said no Ugandan professional boxer will in future contest in Kenya. “This will continue until KPBC gives us a comprehensive report regarding Basule’s death.â€
The recently formed East African Boxing Commission has also shown intentions of isolating Kenya.
and Phillip Corry
THE recent death of a Ugandan boxer Mohammad Basule in Nairobi could have Kenya suspended from the international prize-fighting scene.
World Boxing Council (WBC) board member Celestino Mindra has vowed to spearhead a campaign to have Kenya punished for what he describes as incompetence.
Basule died in hospital after being knocked down by Kenya’s Anthony Napunyi in a bantamweight fight.
Uganda Professional Boxing Commission (UPBC), headed by Mindra, was never informed of the fight.
Reports from Nairobi further suggest that international requirements like having a ringside doctor, stretcher and ambulance were also not met.
“Everything about that fight was wrong. Those responsible should be punished,†said Mindra stressing that he would use his positions as WBC member and Africa Boxing Union general secretary to have Kenya punished.
Mindra said he has evidence of many similar cases where Ugandan boxers have fought in Kenya without UPBC’s consent.
Basule was a last minute substitute for another Ugandan boxer Abdul Tebazalwa. That the Tebazalwa versus Napunyi fight was an African contest, has led to conclusions that there was a mismatch when Basule was introduced.
The fateful fight was only Basule’s third. It was barely two months since the boxer’s last contest.
Mindra said no Ugandan professional boxer will in future contest in Kenya. “This will continue until KPBC gives us a comprehensive report regarding Basule’s death.â€
The recently formed East African Boxing Commission has also shown intentions of isolating Kenya.