The World Boxing Organisation (WBO) Global Board ruled that the WBO Global flyweight match be rescheduled for a rematch between Namibia’s Fillemon Nghutenanye and Tanzanian Mchanja Yohana.
The two boxers locked horns in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, on 24 May, where ring officials scored in favour of Yohana.
Metumo Training Academy (MTA) boxing manager Metumo Imene was not pleased with the scorecards and appealed to the WBO Global Board on 27 May, following the split decision that saw Yohana declared the winner.
Imene told The Namibian Sport this week that the WBO ruled last Thursday, and that the WBO Global Board resolution decided on a rematch.
The letter from the WBO, addressed to both Imene of Salute Boxing Promotions on behalf of WBO participant Nghutenanye, and Anathol Wannah of Mafia Boxing Promotion on behalf of Yohana, said a request for a fight review and record adjustment petition was notified to the committee.
The letter said a panel of five ABC and WBO official certified judges gave their independent assessment of the scores on 30 May without knowing or collaborating with the scores.
The WBO unanimously agreed, without prejudice, that the rightful winner of the WBO Global Flyweight match was Nghutunanye.
The world boxing governing body further said all parties agreed that they are bound by the WBO regulations of the World Championship Contest Section 35 (f)i and that in the instant, the official score rendered was as follows: Roger Barnor scored 112-115 for Nghutenanye, Pendo Njau scored 116-111 for Yohana, and Emmanuel Miundwa scored 116-111 for Yohana.
After the WBO reviewing and rescoring of the bout in question, the findings of the five judges stated that Nghutenanye won rounds two, three, four, five, six, nine, 10, and 11 on all scorecards.
It further established that, on the consensus, it can be established from the independent judges’ scorecards that on the date of the bout, Nghutenanye won 10 rounds and Yohana two.
The WBO World Championship Committee, after reviewing and appraising the facts and particularities, resolved that the WBO Global Flyweight champion Yohana must fight Nghutennanye within 120 days after the issuance of the ruling.
It said failure to comply with the resolution would result in declaring the WBO Global Flyweight Championship vacant without further notice or hearing.
The ruling said it is the final decision of the WBO Championship Committee and that the affected WBO participant may appeal such a determination to the complaint and grievance committee as per Rule 34.
Imene said Nghutenanye is over the moon to get another shot at the WBO Global flyweight title and that preparation for the rematch has kicked off in earnest.
“Nghutenanye’s dream is to one day become a world champion and he had hoped to maintain a clean sheet during his professional career. Hopefully, the defeat to Yohana could be declared a no-contest.
“We are now awaiting a response from Tanzanian Mafia Boxing Promotion, and hopefully, with the help of the MTC Salute Boxing, we can fight here in Namibia.”
Imene called on the local business sector to come on board to assist boxers and athletes.
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