Boxing SA is taking its fight with promoter Tshele Kometsi to a court of law, chairperson Luthando Jack has said in statement.
This comes after Kometsi won the first round of their protracted 12-rounder which saw the arbitration tribunal of Boxing SA ruling in his favour on Thursday.
His promoter's licence was suspended by the regulator on Monday. The statement sent to this writer by Jack reads: “Boxing SA hereby wishes to advise on the outcome of an urgent application by Mr Tshele Kometsi against Boxing SA.
“Following the suspension of Mr Tshele Kometsi he approached the arbitration tribunal of Boxing South Africa on an urgent basis. The matter was heard on Thursday 16 June 2022 before an independent arbitrator, Mr Charl May.
“After considering the matter Mr May gave a decision in terms of which he ruled that the board of Boxing South Africa does not have powers to suspend a licensee pending an outcome of a disciplinary hearing. Mr May’s decision is based on the Boxing Act.
“The board held a special meeting urgently today 17 June 2022 to consider the award. The board has resolved that the decision be reviewed in a court of law urgently and has instructed its attorneys to prepare the necessary papers. A further statement will be issued after the court has pronounced on the matter.”
It all began after a recording which dominated the boxing space last year implied that Kometsi’s credit card was allegedly used by CFO Thabang Moses who sent a driver to withdraw an estimated sum of R14,000 from it. The voice recording also implied that the money was indeed withdrawn and was seen lying around in Moses’s office.
That led to Boxing SA suspending Moses in February this year. He later resigned last month. None of the board members of Boxing SA were willing to give details on the charges laid against Kometsi.
An interesting scenario is that even suspended manager Michael Sediane who beat up a boxer inside the ring recently is, according to the Boxing Act, not suspended because the board of Boxing SA does not have powers to act as such pending the outcome of his disciplinary hearing. Boxing SA may as well close shop.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.