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IBO feels snubbed by Mateza and Zifo

SW20000713AMU012:GENERIC:NOCATEGORY:01JAN1980 - 991027AM09 SPORT/BOXING: Len Hunt boxing Referee. PHOTO:ANTONIO MUCHAVE
SW20000713AMU012:GENERIC:NOCATEGORY:01JAN1980 - 991027AM09 SPORT/BOXING: Len Hunt boxing Referee. PHOTO:ANTONIO MUCHAVE

INTERNATIONAL Boxing Organisation (IBO) vice-president in Africa, Len Hunt, says Dumile Mateza and Mesuli Zifo  treated  the sanctioning body unfairly when the duo failed to acknowledge its contribution to the report submitted to Sports Minister Makhenkesi Stofile.

INTERNATIONAL Boxing Organisation (IBO) vice-president in Africa, Len Hunt, says Dumile Mateza and Mesuli Zifo  treated  the sanctioning body unfairly when the duo failed to acknowledge its contribution to the report submitted to Sports Minister Makhenkesi Stofile.

Mateza and Zifo were appointed by Stofile in June last year to compile a report aimed at finding a way to turn boxing around in the country.

Mateza, a celebrated rugby and boxing commentator, and Zifo, a former journalist, solicited  information from boxing stakeholders,  compiled a report and made recommendations to Stofile who, with stakeholders, discussed the report during the national boxing convention at the weekend.

Hunt, a former boxing referee and judge, said Mateza and Zifo completely neglected the IBO when they compiled their report.

"Other sanctioning bodies are mentioned but the IBO. Funny, Mateza interviewed me about safety aspects in boxing and also about officials - how and where to improve," said Hunt.

"I think Dumile has an agenda against my organisation."

He said it was strange the America-based IBO was not given the respect it deserves here  yet a large number of local fighters would not have been recognised by other sanctioning bodies had it not been for the IBO, which gave them opportunities.

Mateza admitted yesterday that it was an oversight on their part not to have mentioned the IBO.

"But I don't understand why must that be seen as an agenda," he said.   

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