Zimbabwean boxer fails IBF medical check of bout

HARARE, Dec. 25 (Xinhua/GNA) -- Zimbabwean boxer Ali Phiri failed a medical check in Johannesburg last week leading to the cancellation of his International Boxing Federation welterweight bout against Phillip Ndou of South Africa, local media "The Herald " reported on Thursday.

Phiri was scheduled to face Ndou, who is nicknamed The Time Bomb, at the Wembley Arena but failed the hepatitis B and HIV test just before the match leaving Branco Sports Productions to count the costs.

All boxers are supposed to be tested for hepatitis B and HIV in their countries, which then entitles them to get a licence.

The Zimbabwe National Boxing and Wrestling Control Board ( ZNBWCB) has to carry out that exercise as mandated to them by the Ministry of Education, Sport, Arts and Culture.

"However, what boggles the mind is how the ZNBWCB gave a licence to a boxer whose medical condition did not satisfy the requirements of international boxing organizations," said WBO vice- president Andrew Smale.

"The fight between Ali Phiri and Phillip Ndou was the main supporting bout and the costs were big. The travel costs of the Zimbabwe delegation, which included accommodation, and the opponent for Phiri had already been paid for only to have the Zimbabwean declared medically unfit," said Smale.

ZNBWCB secretary, Patrick Mukondiwa, said Phiri was tested at Chitungwiza Central Hospital and he was certified fit to be given a boxing licence.

Mukondiwa said he personally saw the results. "What we did was to let boxers get tested at government hospitals because of our trust in them," said Mukondiwa.

Mukondiwa said they would now be working with the Trauma Centre that will be responsible for testing the boxers.

GNA