Boxing SA probes claim that trainer assaulted boxer

Boxing SA is probing allegations that a boxer was assaulted by his opponent’s trainer in the ring at the end of a bout in Johannesburg at the weekend.

Trainer Mike Sediane allegedly threw several punches at Jeff Magagane after his 10-round fight against Sithembiso Maduna at the Booysens Boxing Club gym. Magagane was announced winner by decision soon after the incident. 

“The act done by Sediane is contrary to [the] spirit espoused by the Boxing Act and Regulations, and has brought the sport into disrepute,” the regulator said in a statement on Tuesday. 

“Boxing SA takes this matter very seriously and it is currently receiving attention and the boxing stakeholders will be informed in due course of the outcome.”

There is no regulation dictating the sanction, but if Boxing SA looks back far enough it will find that in 1970 boxer Kosie Wiese was banned for two years for “disgraceful conduct”. He allegedly threw chairs at ring officials at a tournament in Cape Town after he lost a fight to Johnny Wood. 

“Boxing is a professional sport, and all licensees are expected to act and conduct themselves professionally at all times,” said Boxing SA, which also apologised to Magagane and his team.

“We will make sure necessary steps are taken. To the public broadcaster [SABC], sponsors and other media houses we sincerely apologise for the conduct of one of our licensees.”