Boxing Chaos: Buksh seeks sanctions after Indian boxer fails to arrive for title fight

Boxing Chaos: Buksh seeks sanctions after Indian boxer fails to arrive for title fight Buksh said Mahesh also failed to honour his contract despite having his airfare paid. Saturday 25 July 2026 | 12:00 Binnu Junior Singh (front left) and Harjot Singh (front right), during the King’s Boxing Promotion weigh-in at Ratu Sukuna Park in Suva on July 24, 2026. Photo: Asenaca Ra Photo: Asenaca Ratu Kings Boxing promoter Nahroon Buksh is seeking sanctions against Indian boxer Digari Mahesh after he failed to arrive in Fiji, leaving Mikaele Ravalaca without an opponent for tonight’s title fight. Mahesh was signed as a replacement after fellow Indian boxer Rohit Chauhan withdrew on medical grounds. He was to challenge Ravalaca’s WBA (World Boxing Association) Oceania lightweight title. Buksh said Mahesh also failed to honour his contract despite having his airfare paid. Related stories “I expected him to come. I paid his airfare and he had signed the contract on time,” Buksh said yesterday during the weigh-in at Ratu Sukuna Park, Suva. “What hurts me is that he did not inform me. I feel betrayed.” He said this was the first time to experience a dramatic change under his boxing promotion. Despite the late changes, Ravalaca will still step into the ring in a special exhibition, facing Watisoni Rokotuitoga, Jone Tabuarua, Peni Vunisa and Samuela Leqaiwai. Each boxer will contest two rounds against the Ra native. The exhibition has been arranged to allow visiting American scouts to assess Ravalaca for a possible professional opportunity in the United States. “As a promoter I can also feel how the public feels. “I would like to request the authorities to take appropriate action. I will also engage my solicitors to see how I can recover my costs.” He said Mahesh was reportedly at the airport but failed to board his flight. “At the end of the day, nobody is fighting Mika, and it is a huge loss for me.” Buksh estimated the promotion had cost about $120,000, with expected losses of around $60,000. Manager explains Chauhan withdrawal Meanwhile, manager Neeraj Redhu said that Chauhan’s withdrawal was solely due to medical reasons. He said Chauhan was diagnosed with typhoid and submitted medical certificates declaring him unfit for the scheduled 10-round contest. “It is not a normal fever. His family did not want to risk his health,” Redhu said. He acknowledged Chauhan later competed in three amateur bouts in Europe but said they were only three-round contests and could not be compared with a professional 10-round fight. “Once he fully recovers, I am 100 per cent confident he will fight Mika. He is not hiding and he is not afraid of Mika. It was purely a medical issue.” Card reshuffled “There are some changes. I’m not sure which are the changes but some changes are there. I think the officials from BCF know that better. Some due to weight problems, some due to non-appearance,” Buksh added. In another late change, Robin Hazelman’s title challenge against Boxing Commission Fiji super-middleweight champion Isikeli “Bullet” Senidoko was cancelled after Hazelman failed to attend Friday’s official weigh-in. Filise Nabua will now face Senidoko for the super-middleweight title. However, the main bout has been shifted to the Oceania WBA Super Bantam title where Binnu Singh Junior will be defending his title against Harjot Singh of India in a 10x3 boxing rounds. Commission to review matter Boxing Commission Fiji chairman Adi Narayan said the commission would raise the issue with the World Boxing Association (WBA). “If a boxer is medically unfit to train, how can he go and fight three amateur bouts in Europe?” Narayan said. “The explanation does not add up.” Narayan said the commission would reconsider allowing Mahesh to fight in Fiji in future. “We will definitely take this matter up with the WBA and reconsider whether he should be allowed to fight in Fiji again.”