THE much-awaited return match between Junior Farzan Ali and Opeti Tagi for the national welterweight title is yet to be sanctioned by the Boxing Commission of Fiji (BCF).
Initially, it was Farzan's elder brother, Joy Ali, who had signed on to fight Tagi in the event but had to pull out becaus of injury.
Yesterday, BCF board member Malakai Veisamasama said they were yet to receive anything in writing from promoters, Naidiri Boxing Promotions, on the change in opponents.
"At the moments, the BCF has not sanctioned the fight and the agreement is still between Farzan, Tagi and the promoters and we have not received anything," he said.
He said the fight would only be sanctioned once the promoters complied to the rules and regulations listed under the boxing promulgation.
"The promoters were given the rules and regulations and the promulgations clearly states under section 16 (1) the promoter needs a professional boxing contest permit granted under section 10 of the promulgation," Veisamasama said.
"Section 16 (2) the promoter needs to apply to the Commission in a prescribed form with necessary application and approval fee.
"Section 16 (3) the Commission will only grant the permit if it is satisfied that the promoter has attended to all the requirements under the promulgation before applying for the permit."
Veisamasama said the promoters needed to meet BCF board member Major Samisoni Kafoa to sort out the matter before the fight could be sanctioned.
"So at the moment, we have not received a medical certificate to prove Ali is injured and can't fight and we have also not received an application for Farzan to fight Tagi.
"We are not saying we will not sanction the fight, we are just asking the promoters to comply with rules and regulations so that everything is transparent and properly done," he said.
The fight is scheduled to take place on March 16 at Prince Charles Park in Nadi.