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Mbilase calls quits on boxing career

QUITTING: FORMER South African featherweight champion Manelisi Mbilase has quit boxing citing family problems.

The boxer’s shock announcement came soon after he was sent packing by promoter Butityi Konki’s BK Sports.

Mbilase, who lost his crown during a re-match against Thando Vukuza last July, announced he had quit the sport in an SMS sent to former International Boxing Federation (IBF) junior-featherweight champion and trainer Vuyani Bungu, on Wednesday.

“I have quit boxing following the advice of my family. I had problems which started after I lost my title to Vukuza last year. BK offered me three fights but I couldn’t take them because of family problems. They gave me another chance recently but the problems couldn’t go away,” said Mbilase.

Though he refused to say why his family advised him to quit, it’s clear that financial problems had prompted the decision, as Mbilase lost out big-time after absconding from training late last year. Konki stopped paying his R10000 a month salary after Mbilase refused to fight in three bouts last year.

But Konki gave him another chance three weeks ago, hoping that Mbilase would come to his senses and return to training. But Mbilase again failed to pitch, that led to the BK Sports boss releasing Mbilase from his contract.

“I gave Mbilase an opportunity to fight on three occasions but he kept on saying he was not ready. I then stopped paying his monthly salary when he absconded from training towards the end of last year,” said Konki.

Mbilase was contracted to BK Sports from July last year and his deal was set to expire on January 1, 2012.

Bungu, who trained Mbilase, said: “ I think Mbilase has a big problem but he does not want to tell anyone about it. BK gave him three chances to fight last year but he told him that he was not ready and he now tells me that his family has told him to quit boxing.”

Popularly known as ‘Leli’ in boxing circles, Mbilase is the father of two children – nine and 10 months – from two different women.

Mbilase’s professional record reads 10 wins (two knockouts) and four losses.

Meanwhile, Konki has confirmed that former South African and World Boxing Union super-featherweight champion, Phillip Ndou has bolted out of his stable to rejoin his former trainer, Nick Durandt.

“I can confirm that Phillip is no longer part of our stable and has rejoined Durandt. I have since released him from his contractual obligations,” said Konki.

Ndou, who was earning R20000 monthly with Konki, signed a contract which was set to expire in April 2012.

“Normally, I don’t take boxers back once they leave me, but that’s not the case with Phillip because he is more like family to me,” said Durandt.

Ndou was Durandt’s best man when the controversial trainer got married 10 years ago and the trainer was also the boxer’s best man at his wedding two years ago. - By MONWABISI JIMLONGO

Three Pak boxers reached Semi in SAF games

Karachi: Three Pakistani Boxers reached semi final stage in ongoing 11th South Asian Games held at Dhaka Bangladesh.

According to information received from Dhaka Pakistan team Captain Mohammad Waseem beat Dilanka Suresh (Sri lanka) by 7-6 and now he touched semi final.

Nadir Baloch (48kg) and Amir Khan (64kg) they two Boxers were get byes in Technical Draws and both also reached Semi Final.

It means Pakistan three boxers have assured three bronze medals and they will perform for gold and silver medals

PBF offer condolence for Gul Hameed Bhatti

Karachi: Pakistan Boxing Federation (PBF) President Doda Khan Bhutto, Secretary General Muhammad Akram Khan, Chairman Media Commission and other PBF oofficials express the deepest sorrow and grief over the sad demise of most Senior and Iconic sports Journalist Mr. Gul Hameed Bhatti. The all prays to Allah that may his soul rest in piece and give his family the strength to bear this huge loss.

Mr. Gul Hameed Bhatti 63 was an outstanding journalist, highly respected and thorough gentleman and was an institution. He will always be missed and remembered he currently serve at Jang group English News Paper The News as a Sports editor and he was all time supported to grass rout Sports Specially Boxing.

Pakistan’s all Sports will all time missed Mr. G.H.Bhatti

PBF top officials recommended for Pride of Performance award

KARACHI: The services of top officials of Pakistan Boxing Federation (PBF) have inspired Sindh Sports Minister, Dr Muhammad Ali Shah to recommend them for Pride of Performance Award.

Dr Muhammad Ali Shah, who is also President of Sindh Olympic Association, while talking exclusively to Xinhua on phone said that he has recommended President Asif Ali Zardari to award President PBF, Doda Khan Bhutto and Secretary General PBF Muhammad Akram Khan for the country’s highest civilian award for their services rendered for the uplift of boxing.

He further stated that he has informed President Zardari about the way PBF organised Shaheed Benazir Bhutto International Boxing Tournament (SBBIBT) successfully in January 2010.

Paying glowing tributes to the top management of the PBF for holding an international tournament, the Sindh Sports Minister said that all the credit goes to Doda Khan and his team for staging a tournament of international level in which teams from over 20 countries participated with over 200 boxers fighting for the accolades.

Dr Shah pointed that he will meet Chief Minister Sindh, Syed Qaim Ali Shah soon for releasing tournament funds to Pakistan Boxing Federation at the earliest.

He added that Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has already disbursed Rs220 million to the PBF for organising the event.

Pakistan Boxing Federation organised the first-ever Shaheed Benazir Bhutto International Boxing Tournament (SBBIBT) in January in which teams from 23 countries participated with China claiming the top position.

PBF under financial crunch in aftermath of BB tourney

KARACHI: The Pakistan Boxing Federation (PBF) is reeling under financial crunch as it is yet to receive a major chunk of the monetary assistance promised by the government and corporate sector for the conduction of the Shaheed Benazir Bhutto International Boxing tournament, which was held here earlier this month.

“Our total cost over the tournament was over Rs60 to 70 million. We were expecting Rs40 million from the federal government and Rs 30 million from the corporate sector. But so far we have received only Rs20.3 million from the Prime Minister.

The Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah had promised to extend financial support but so far we have received no response from him in spite of repeated attempts,” said president of the PBF Doda Khan Bhutto during a press conference here on Friday.

Also present on the occasion were the secretary of the PBF Muhammad Akram Khan and the vice-president Iqbal Hussain.

He said that he is also thankful to the president of the NWFP Boxing Association Waqar Maroof who has helped the federation by giving it Rs50,000.

“The Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) had also promised one million rupees and though the Board has not released it as yet but we are hopeful that it will do so within few days,” the president said.

“We had to bear the burden by paying the mighty bills from our own pockets as the PBF had nothing in its kitty. Financially, the federation is in serious trouble and we appeal to the federal government, Sindh government, President of Pakistan and City District Government Karachi (CDKG) that they should extend their financial assistance and the summary which have been sent by the Sindh Sports Minister Dr Muhammad Ali Shah to the Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah should be approved, so that the grant could be released on emergency basis,” the official said.

Meanwhile, the secretary of the PBF Akram Khan said that the PBF have recorded protest to the organising committee of the South Asian Games for the unreasonable reshuffling in the weight categories by removing 75kg, 91kg and 91kg plus from the list while inducting 48kg and 60kg, restricting the competitions in the eight-nation event to six instead of the earlier seven.

He said the removal of heavy weights is a big blow for Pakistan as the country had a great chance to grab a few gold medals in these weights.

He has also informed the Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) and the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) that the new sudden changes in the weight categories could minimise Pakistan’s medals chances in the SAG which would be held from January 29 to February 9 in Bangladesh.

In the end, on behalf of the PBF he thanked media, police, traffic police, Rangers, Interior Ministry, Exterior Ministry, the POA chief, the federal sports minister, the federal minister for Inter-Provincial Coordination, the federal secretary sports etc for giving their support in the smooth conduction of the event.

Ambreen Sadiq the first Muslim female boxer in the country

Fifteen-year-old Ambreen Sadiq is the first Muslim female boxer in the country. Supported by her singularly dedicated coach and a close, vibrant family, this First Cut film follows Ambreen's preparations for the rematch of her championship bout against rival boxer Bobbi Clarke.

Few girls, let alone Muslim girls, can expect to be encouraged to pick up a pair of boxing gloves and go out fighting.

But Ambreen Sadiq, a 15-year-old schoolgirl from Bradford, has overcome opposition in her community to win her latest fight and aim for the 2016 Olympics.

Hailed tonight as a “pioneer” by the Amateur Boxing Association, Ambreen has already won the national female championship for her age and weight.

She has overcome opposition from her community to be nominated as junior sports personality of the year at the British Asian Sports Awards.
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In the ring, she transforms from shy Muslim in traditional dress to a rapid-fire fighting machine in shorts, vest and ponytail.

Few Muslim women go into boxing, although one exception is Laila Ali, Mohammed Ali’s daughter, a professional boxer who now hosts American Gladiators.

A Channel 4 documentary tomorrow night shows Ambreen, trained by coach Naz Jalil of Eastburn boxing club, defeat Leigh Park’s Bobbie Clark.

According to one report of the match, Ambreen, who is known as “Beeno”, “dominated her southpaw opponent from the off, catching her with numerous combination shots to go 9-2 up after the first round.”

The Bradford Telegraph and Argus reported: “She continued to pressure Clark, who had no option but to come forward to win some points of her own but each time was met with a barrage of punches, leaving the score 14-3 after round two.

“The third round was Sadiq’s best. Her skills saw her slip Clarke’s punches, making her miss wildly.

“On one occasion, she slipped under a big right, turned Clark and delivered three big shots which forced the referee to give an eight count as the Eastburn girl triumphed 20-5.”

Ambreen has already attended one training session with the England squad.

Her father, Shokit Ali Sadiq, who has encouraged her since childhood, said he had predicted since she was a baby that she would become a boxer. “Nobody would believe me.”

Ambreen said: “I know you should not show your arms and legs off but I am not doing it so I can show my arms and legs off to the whole world. I am doing it so I can enjoy boxing. It is what I want.”

The Muslim Council of Britain said: “We would not take a position against this.” He said some Muslim scholars did, however, regard boxing in general as “inhumane”.

Ayesha Abdeen, vice-chair of the Muslim Women’s Sports Foundation, said: “We believe that women should have an opportunity to take part in sport and keep fit and healthy. A Muslim woman boxer I would say is quite rare.”

Martin Utley, regional coach for the Amateur Boxing Association, said she was one of the top female boxers in Britain: “There are other Muslim girl boxers but not at this competitive level. She is pioneering as far as Muslim girls are concerned in boxing.”