Tanzanian boxer Selemani Bangaiza could face punishment from the country’s boxing association after quitting a fight abroad.
Bangaiza decided to throw in the towel in the second round of a bout in Australia without putting up a challenge.
The super flyweight boxer was just fighting for the second time outside of Tanzania.
He was however a late replacement to face the unbeaten Andrew Moloney.
Videos showing the 20-year old boxer holding up his hand and spitting out his mouth-guard to give up went viral.
The fight however took place last week but discussions about Bangaiza’s performance is now gaining prominence.
Tanzania’s Sports Minister Harrison Mwakyembe is reported to have asked the country’s boxing association to punish Selemani Bangaiza.
Selemani Bangaiza just quit mid round against Andrew Moloney. Never seen anything like it before? Threw his hand up and spat his mouth guard ?♂️ #ozboxing #boxing pic.twitter.com/BkzcsqMUAD
— Adam Auld (@Adam_Auld) June 15, 2019
Mr. Mwakyembe in an interview with a local newspaper outlet accused the boxer of not trying hard enough and not properly representing Tanzania.
“Things like this make our country appear backward in sports,” the minister is quoted in the newspaper as saying.
He adds that “The boxer should be dismissed so that it could be a lesson to others.”
Joe Anea, president of the Tanzania Professional Boxing Regulatory Commission (TPBRC), confirmed the minister’s request in an interview with the BBC.
But Anea said the TPBRC is yet to decide whether to punish the boxer or otherwise.
Source: Africafeeds.com
