NATIONAL middleweight champion Abhay Chand could face disciplinary action for refusing to fight a title contender.
The Boxing Commission of Fiji confirmed to Times Sport that Chand had verbally confirmed to put his middleweight title on the line against Zulfikar Joy Ali but later declined the fight.
BCF board member Malakai Veisamasama said they received a letter from Naidiri Boxing Promotions raising the issue.
He said according to the letter, Chand had agreed to the fight for a sum of $2000 but after further negotiations had settled on $3000 but later withdrew after making claims another promoter had offered him $9000 for the same fight.
"If a promoter had done this, then it is considered that the promoter is trying to jeopardise another promoter's event and this is illegal under the boxing promulgation," Veisamasama said. "So the BCF will investigate the matter and write to Abhay Chand, asking him to explain in writing why he declined to fight a title contender and which promoter offered him $9000," he said.
Veisamasama said the BCF had full rights to strip a boxer of his title if he refused to fight a title contender without a valid reason.
He said the BCF would make a decision after investigations were completed.
"Another story is that, Chand declined to fight Ali but accepted a challenge from Junior Farzan Ali who is not in the weight category. A title holder cannot choose his opponents like that and has to follow procedures and face title contenders."
Farzan has gained weight to come up to the 72kg division to challenge Chand however Veisamasama said if the fight was to happen, it would not be sanctioned by the BCF.
"If the investigations into Chand's refusal to fight Ali and the promoter who offered him $9000 are completed and dealt with, then the BCF will sanction his fight.
"After we receive a written explanation from Chand, then the BCF can take appropriate actions against him and the promoter.
"According to international regulations, if title holders refuse to fight contenders, consequences are as severe as stripping the holder of the title," he said.