WBC left fuming as shambolic boxing seminar ends

The circus around the African Boxing Union (ABU) Seminar took another sour twist as it became apparent Kenya had failed to pay for a boxing venue for Friday’s bout that would mark the end of the two-day event.

Visiting World Boxing Council (WBC) and ABU officials said they have been forced to dig into their own pockets to secure KICC’s Charter Hall, in the latest act of injustice against the visiting contingent.

WBC vice-president Houcine Houichi had been critical of how Kenya had planned for the event, warning sanctions and was infuriated again as no local officials showed up to grace the final day.

Ugandan President for Profession Boxing Commission Salim Uhuru reported that the Kenyan boxing chief Reuben Ndolo had flown off to Dubai, with Houichi saying he had not been informed of the same.

“We are very much disappointed with the Kenya for not planning this event as we expected. Kenya is a quit known country in terms of boxing but what we have experienced here for the past four days is unacceptable. We hope that in the near future everything is carried out differently,” Uhuru said.

Later Friday night, the seminar will conclude with a fight between Tanzania’s Salehe Mkalekwa from Tanzania and Andrews Valavanis from Egypt at the KICC.

This year will mark only the second time the event is hosted in the continent with the WBC keen to offer refresher courses for African officials on the changing rules of boxing in judging, refereeing and supervision.

It ended with the examination for the referees where by the winners will conduct the World Boxing Council and the African Boxing Union competitions.