The new Boxing SA board has appealed to boxing stakeholders to refrain from resorting to legal action to settle disputes and instead use the channels available within the sport.
The call comes amid court action launched by the National Professional Boxing Promoters Association over the dispute regarding former sports minister Zizi Kodwa’s appointment of the previous board without proper consultation.
Though the case is continuing, Kodwa later revisited the appointment by announcing a fresh selection process, leading to the unveiling of the new board after consulting boxing stakeholders.
The board has met three times to deliberate on the controversial licensing model wherein promoters who owe money to BSA were encouraged to pay 30% of their debt and make necessary arrangements to settle the balance, and promoters may turn to the courts to challenge the decision.
The promoters’ body was scheduled to address a media briefing later on Wednesday to outline the steps it would take.
The reinstatement of the licensing model has caused consternation among certain promoters on the basis that the two previous boards resolved not to implement it owing to the legal implications.
Concerned by the increasing trend of using courts to settle disputes, BSA appealed to stakeholders to use the available channels to air their grievances to project the sport in a positive light.
“This issue of using courts is not helping the image we want to build for the sport,” board member Luxolo September said.
“The board is open to listening to anyone who has an issue and if boxing stakeholders say they want the sport to grow then we are on the same wavelength.
“Fights must only take place in the boxing ring and nowhere else.”
September insisted that the call was not directed at promoters alone, though he stopped short of accusing BSA of being guilty of similar action.
The Tsomo-born official said the board’s theme “Let’s Talk” had been coined to help clean up the sport’s image and to convince corporate sponsors to come on board.
“But if all we read about are court cases no-one will want to be associated with such an entity and I speak from experience in this regard.”
September heads the Confederation of African Football’s (Caf) broadcast wing, responsible for bringing in financial partners to back the continental soccer body.
His BSA appointment, welcomed in boxing circles, is expected to help boost the coffers of the financially crippled body.
Having built solid networks, including cordial relations with SuperSport when he worked for the Premier Soccer League, which is contracted to the pay channel, September is seen as a vital cog in efforts to finally resolve the protracted boxing broadcast issue.
The dispute led to the sport being offered deals only sparingly instead of enjoying a strong partnership similar to soccer.
September said all doors were open for stakeholders who wanted to engage the board and take the sport forward.
“There is absolutely no-one sidelined, even those purported to be against us, are free to come and make their voice heard.”
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