CONTROVERSY has overshadowed the eagerly awaited recognition of the boxer who stood head and shoulders above the rest last year.

Boxing South Africa omitted IBF junior flyweight holder Moruti Mthalane and two-time IBF junior lightweight champion Mzonke Fana from the list of nominees for the Boxer of the Year Award.

BSA's longtime acting chief executive Loyiso Mtya announced last week that "people", including yours truly, would be involved in the nomination and the governing body would shortlist and decide on the winners. This writer missed the deadline.

The nomination guideline in this category, according to a circular from BSA, is that one must have consistently exhibited outstanding mental and physical skills against quality opposition. Mthalane's clinical performance against Zolani Tete, the revered boxer from East London, as well as Fana's sterling performance against Cassius Baloyi had the appropriate recipe for them to even share this most sought-after award.

The importance of women in boxing is understood but, sentiments aside, WBF welterweight holder Noni Tenge should not have been shortlisted, based on the nomination guidelines.

Her two victories came against novices Agota Ilko from Hungary and Francisca Mbang from Cameroon.

Tenge, IBO junior flyweight holder Gideon Buthelezi and IBF mini flyweight champion Nkosinathi Joyi are the three fighters who have been shortlisted.

Buthelezi barely made the weight limit to dethrone Hekkie Budler but Joyi deserves to be shortlisted because he owns a credible belt.