BOXING South Africa is monitoring the growing trend of local boxers going into world title fights outside the country without their trainers.

"We are watching it with an eagle eye," said BSA acting chief Loyiso Mtya yesterday.

"It is similar to throwing a toddler into a swimming pool without a guard and that is not acceptable. Many things come into play, and all affect a boxer. Communication is one principal issue.

"Think of being in an aeroplane alone, over a foreign country and you are assisted in your corner by people you do not know or don't even understand."

Most fighters who have been taken outside SA without their regular trainers have lost their fights badly.

One is Jeffrey Mathebula, who was stopped in nine rounds by Kiko Martinez for the IBF super bantamweight title in Spain on December 21.

Last week, Tshifhiwa Munyai was destroyed by Scott Quigg in two rounds for the WBA super bantamweight title in the UK. Munyai's trainer, Warren Hulley, was not with his charge. Instead, some Englishmen manned Munyai's corner.

Munyai was reported on Friday - the eve of his world title fight - to have been 3kg over the required weight limit. He was given two hours to shed those extra kilograms and he eventually made the limit - but after having to remove even his underpants.

Munyai accepted the fight on a week's notice.

Going into the bout in that condition was suicidal, and the fight should not have gone ahead.

Said Mtya: "It is strange that Warren did not travel because we did all the required documents for him to get a visa."

Hulley could not be reached for comment.

The procedure to get a clearance from BSA is that a boxer must be in possession of a signed fight contract. He or she then proposes to the national controlling body that he or she be granted a clearance.

One condition is that the boxer must travel with his trainer, or his appointee.