Lepani Wilson (right) with boxer Jordan Hampton in Sydney. Photo: Supplied
Fijian professional boxers have been warned about promoters who offer them low purses and want to make a quick buck.
The same promoters are said to be booking programme dates throughout the year and are trying to stop others from holding their cards.
The concern has been raised by long-time boxing judge and referee Setoki Mafi, who is also the head of a Fiji boxing supporters group.
"I have been highlighting this since 2015...I am not personalising anyone but bringing out the disease in boxing by some of these promoters," he said.
He said one new promoter is signing up all the local boxers so other promoters have no opportunities.
"We should not forget that without this corrupt crowd boxing was doing good. Requesting all the boxers don't get into their traps, today they are showing you big money because some good promoters recently set a benchmark.
"Now to get rid of these good and clean promoters, someone is playing new tricks."
Mafi said Fijian boxers must be educated and work with the Fiji Boxing Commission (FBC) to keep such promoters away.
Bad apples 'killing boxing'
Top trainer Lepani Wilson, who is now based in Sydney, believes promoters who act in such ways will kill boxing in the country.
"These promoters only come in when they see that boxing is thriving again. They come in and lure boxers with sweet talks but they do not pay them what they deserve.
"Some of them send boxers overseas and pay them $1000 while they, the promoters or agents, make far more than that.
"It is sad this is still happening in this day and age."
Mafi and Wilson agree on one thing: FBC should keep a close tab on the issue and ensure that all promoters and agents are transparent in their dealings with boxers.
Setoki Mafi (on the left) with former Fijian boxer Epeli Katonivere in Suva. Photo: Supplied
Good men needed
Former Fiji boxer Paula Tuilau said boxers need promoters who were consistent and offer them regular fights and good packages.
"We want promoters who are consistent and look after boxers' welfare than just a promoter himself who are coming here for gain," he said.
"Maybe that promoter is a good man and will make boxers fight in his programme to show their talent. Some promoters employ only a few boxers in programmes, neglecting the upcoming talents.
"When these upcoming boxers are drawcards, then they want to sign them up in their programme. Promoters should remember to promote fights for all boxers."
Tuilau also called on the Boxing Commission to monitor every promoter and agent.
The Commission has a new chairman in Adi Narayan and an executive team.
RNZ Pacific has contacted them but has not received any response as yet.
However, former chairman Subash Appana said earlier this year the Commission now had policies and regulations in place which ensures that such promoters were not welcome in Fiji boxing.
He said the work on lifting Fiji boxing has been ongoing for years and recently Winston Hill and Johnny Lewis Promotions have been staging programmes in Suva which has seen interest growing in the sport.
Call for Melanesian title
Meanwhile, a Vanuatu-based boxing promoter is calling for the setting up of a professional boxing title for all Melanesian countries.
Michaelson Abel told the Daily Post they need to have more professional boxing promotions in Vanuatu and the Pacific.
"We need to have a professional title to keep professional boxing going."
Boxers from Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Tonga and Fiji were involved in some good promotions in the past with boxers such as Philip Kating, Johnny Aba, the Haumono brothers from Tonga, Samoa's Ali Afakasi and George Tanoa, plus Fiji's Sakaraia Ve taking to the ring.
