By Ronnie Nathanielsz

International Boxing Organization president Ed Levine has sent out a notice which says the IBO suspends the promoter of Loreto-Joyi for failing to pay its financial obligations.

 

However, the announcement makes no specific mention that promoter Siphatho  Handi has been suspended by the IBO.

 

We called the IBO president’s office and also an email seeking clarification but up to now haven’t received a response.

 

The earlier IBO announcement said “ Despite numerous assurances, deadlines and promises, as of this date Mamali Productions has failed to make good on it's commitment to pay the fighters, officials and sanction fees for it's March 22nd tournament.“

 

It said “The IBO encourages Boxing South Africa to take appropriate steps against this promoter in South Africa pending legal action taken by Loreto's management and to avoid further embarrassment and damages to the participants” who. Beside light flyweight champion Rey Loreto included Jetly Purisima who was featured in a ten round supporting bout.

 

Loreto scored a smashing 1st round knockout over former champion Nkosinathi Joy in a rematch after the Filipino stunned the South African to win the title by a 3rd round knockout.

 

The failure of promoter Handi to keep his commitment to have the funds deposited in the bank account of former North Cotabato governor and broadcast journalist Manny Pinol who handles Loreto and was in South Africa for the fight has damaged the  image of the International Boxing Organization and the South African Boxing Association.

 

The promoter owes the boxers a total of $45,000.

 

Handi had promised the IBO, the SABA and the boxers representative,  Manny Pinol to transfer the funds to Pinol’s bank account in the Philippines by April 17.

 

In a communication to IBO president Ed Levine whose office we ourselves have called several times for the sake of the boxers, Pinol informed us that Handi hasn’t kept his promise and that he (Pinol) had “sent Loreto “ a modest sum of money” after the boxer called and said he needed the money to finish the construction of a small house he is building for his family.

 

In the face of promoter Handi’s failure to pay the boxers, Pinol has  asked the IBO “what action they would take to give these boxers what is due them.”

 

Pinol who hired a panel of South African lawyers to file the necessary cases against Handi to recover the fighters purses had put the legal action on hold in the face of the promoter’s promise to pay but because of the third failure of Handi to keep his commitment he will be “forced to elevate the matter to the South African courts.”

 

Pinol concluded “I know this would be embarrassing not only for the promoter but also for Boxing South Africa  and the IBO but I believe this should be done to protect the interests of the Filipino boxers.”