Noa Biudole 23 December, 2020, 4:58 pm From left: Fiji Heavyweight Champion James Singh, promoter Freddy Chand, the minister of Education, Heritage and Arts Rosy Akbar and Boxing Commission Chairman Dr.Subash Appanna at the handover at the Fiji Sports Council Bure today. Picture: JONACANI KONATACI Fiji heavyweight boxing champion James Singh received his belt today eleven days after his championship bout. The Minister of Education, Heritage and Arts Rosy Akbar said Singh displayed the character of a true champion despite not receiving his belt on the day. “He displayed true sportsmanship, the crowd was riled up and although he was most affected, calmed things down,” Akbar said.
Paulini Curuqara Dr. Subhash Appanna , Fiji Boxing Commission Board Chairman. Picture: FILE Boxing Commission of Fiji chairman Dr Subhash Appana was furious when he came to know the heavyweight belt for last Saturday’s main fight was not available. It came as a surprise when James Singh after beating Jonasa Kavika was not presented the belt because it was not available. Appana said he thought Freddy Chand, the promoter had the belt but according to Appana, Chand had assumed Usman Lale had the belt. “So the thing is Freddy is blaming Lale and Lale is blaming Freddy. There was an oversight, people overlooked a lot of things,” he said.