Meroro, Simon non-fight drama spirals
The drama around the Harry 'Terminator' Simon and Vikapita 'Beast Master' Meroro non-fight continues to spiral out of control.
Simon and Meroro were expected to exchange blows on Saturday at the Ramatex complex.
However, the promoters are now claiming that the boxing control board failed to sanction the fight because Meroro is overweight and Simon is underweight.
It was established yesterday at a press conference that Meroro currently weights 92.6kg, whereas Simon is currently tipping the scales at 88kg.
For their non-title cruiserweight fight, the boxers are expected to weigh 92kg at the final weigh-in.
Strangely, it has now emerged that because the boxers did not meet their target weights at a pre-weigh-in, the fight has now been called off.
Meroro's version
Meroro said he was disappointed by the latest developments.
“I'm really disappointed in this. I don't know what is going on. I have never seen this type of thing before. I weigh 97kg now. I can be overweight with 7 to 10kg two weeks before a fight and make the weigh-in. There was never a fight that I was overweight for.”
He said further it's a non-title fight, so he does not understand “the commotion happening”.
Simon's version
“This whole mess is because of boxing control board. They said we should weigh 92kg. I went to South Africa to train. Whatever Merero weighs is not my business. I did my best as a professional to meet my target,” Simon said.
“Now they are saying I should go up to 92kg. That is impossible; I cannot go back and eat again to become fat. I refused and told them I will stay at 88kg. Let Merero train and make his weight.”
Simon said he never refused to fight Meroro. “This is not even a world title. I can beat Meroro anytime; everyone knows that. I have speed power and my record speaks for itself,” he added.
Smokey's version
“We gave the boxing control board all the documents required before the fight, as well as payment, but in the end the fight was still not sanctioned because of the weight issue. Now we have called in another fighter to take over the fight with Simon,” said promoter Joseph 'Smokey' Hilongwa. The fighter is Kamija Ramadan is from Tanzania. “He agreed to be given three weeks to get ready to fight Simon. We had to approach him after the boxing control board failed to give the go-ahead for the two Namibians to fight.”
Trainer's version
“These guys are not telling the truth. They wanted to sell tickets using Meroro's name. They are lying. They say they found another boxer, but failed to agree to continue the fight with 'Beast Master'. How do you give a new boxer three weeks to get ready, instead of giving the current one time to lose 6kg,” said Meroro's trainer Nicky Natangwe.
Sponsor's version
“The Namibian nation wants to see this fight. We abided by the rules of the boxing control board and promoted the fight and sold tickets through Computicket. We want the fight to continue and we want to continue selling tickets, given that the boxers can be given time to work on their weight,” said sponsor Orsmund Mbeha. The boxing board was not present at the weigh-in yesterday and could not be reached for comment before going to print.
LIMBA MUPETAMI
Simon and Meroro were expected to exchange blows on Saturday at the Ramatex complex.
However, the promoters are now claiming that the boxing control board failed to sanction the fight because Meroro is overweight and Simon is underweight.
It was established yesterday at a press conference that Meroro currently weights 92.6kg, whereas Simon is currently tipping the scales at 88kg.
For their non-title cruiserweight fight, the boxers are expected to weigh 92kg at the final weigh-in.
Strangely, it has now emerged that because the boxers did not meet their target weights at a pre-weigh-in, the fight has now been called off.
Meroro's version
Meroro said he was disappointed by the latest developments.
“I'm really disappointed in this. I don't know what is going on. I have never seen this type of thing before. I weigh 97kg now. I can be overweight with 7 to 10kg two weeks before a fight and make the weigh-in. There was never a fight that I was overweight for.”
He said further it's a non-title fight, so he does not understand “the commotion happening”.
Simon's version
“This whole mess is because of boxing control board. They said we should weigh 92kg. I went to South Africa to train. Whatever Merero weighs is not my business. I did my best as a professional to meet my target,” Simon said.
“Now they are saying I should go up to 92kg. That is impossible; I cannot go back and eat again to become fat. I refused and told them I will stay at 88kg. Let Merero train and make his weight.”
Simon said he never refused to fight Meroro. “This is not even a world title. I can beat Meroro anytime; everyone knows that. I have speed power and my record speaks for itself,” he added.
Smokey's version
“We gave the boxing control board all the documents required before the fight, as well as payment, but in the end the fight was still not sanctioned because of the weight issue. Now we have called in another fighter to take over the fight with Simon,” said promoter Joseph 'Smokey' Hilongwa. The fighter is Kamija Ramadan is from Tanzania. “He agreed to be given three weeks to get ready to fight Simon. We had to approach him after the boxing control board failed to give the go-ahead for the two Namibians to fight.”
Trainer's version
“These guys are not telling the truth. They wanted to sell tickets using Meroro's name. They are lying. They say they found another boxer, but failed to agree to continue the fight with 'Beast Master'. How do you give a new boxer three weeks to get ready, instead of giving the current one time to lose 6kg,” said Meroro's trainer Nicky Natangwe.
Sponsor's version
“The Namibian nation wants to see this fight. We abided by the rules of the boxing control board and promoted the fight and sold tickets through Computicket. We want the fight to continue and we want to continue selling tickets, given that the boxers can be given time to work on their weight,” said sponsor Orsmund Mbeha. The boxing board was not present at the weigh-in yesterday and could not be reached for comment before going to print.
LIMBA MUPETAMI
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