Mdantsane fighter Ali Funeka was finally stripped of his title by Boxing South Africa on Wednesday for refusing to defend it against top contender Godfrey Nzimande.
But Funeka’s camp has vowed to challenge the ruling in the highest court.
BSA said Funeka was relieved of the title due to his failure to respond to numerous letters ordering him to honour his mandatory defence.
Funeka’s manager Mzi Mnguni confirmed that he had received a letter from BSA informing him of the decision.
BSA publicist Loyiso Mtya said the decision to strip Funeka of the title was taken because he was stalling progress in the junior lightweight division.
”We gave Funeka numerous extensions yet he did not seem not interested in meeting us halfway,” said Mtya.
Mtya said BSA had tried to persuade Funeka to honour his mandatory defence duties. Funeka had opted instead to defend his WBC international lightweight title.
”Funeka defended his international title on April 1 when he was supposed to defend his SA title but we allowed him to go ahead and fight against that fighter from Ghana,” he said.
Mtya said BSA had already been warned of legal threats from Nzimande, who has been waiting for his chance to fight for the title for some time.
”Had I not talked to Nzimande, he would have long taken BSA to court,” he said.
Mtya blamed Funeka’s management for forcing their fighter to cling to the title when it was obvious he was no longer interested in the title.
But Mnguni denied that he had refused to cooperate with BSA.
Mnguni said the last deadline Funeka was given was June 16 and that he had been constantly communicating with BSA about the matter.
”My fighter has been treated unfairly here and I will challenge this ruling.”
Funeka last defended the title in July last year when he stopped Mpumalanga fighter Patrick Masango in five rounds. – Sapa