Boxers, BSA heading for a duel

BOXING South Africa [BSA] could find itself fighting in court if boxers go ahead with their plan to seek legal assistance regarding purse money.

Boxers revealed yesterday that the boxing authorities make them wait for seven days for their earnings when they should be getting paid just after their fights.

They fail to understand the delay because BSA does not have to look for money since promoters are made to deposit purse money with the controlling body either 30 or 14 days prior to tournaments.

The regulation says purse money must be deposited 30 days prior to the fight. In the past, boxers were paid minutes after their bouts.

BSA then introduced a new system that saw boxers having to give the authorities their bank details. That was an efficient system because purse money would reflect immediately after fights.

But that has changed without proper communication with licensees, particularly boxers.

Kevin Lerena, 21, spoke openly about the problem.

"With all due respect to BSA, they must get their act together. I can't be made to wait such a long time [to get his purse money]. I've bills to pay," the fighter said.

BSA's Gauteng manager Archie Nyingwa said he always submit paperwork to the relevant department within the governing body a day after every tournament, except if it was on Friday because he would then submit them on Monday.

"I don't know what causes the delay," Nyingwa said. "I sent a message to Tumi Kekana, the financial manager, requesting her explanation. She said she will forward the message to the new chief financial officer, Kgosiemang Mosupa."

Mosupa refused to talk to Sowetan yesterday.