Fijian Boxer’s Tragic Death Sparks Calls for Tougher Safety Measures

The death of Fijian boxer Ubayd Haider, also known as Nathan Singh, has reignited calls for tougher measures to protect boxers in Fiji. The 32-year-old collapsed after his fight against Runqi Zhou in Nadi in October and did not recover from an urgent surgery performed on him.

The Investigation and Its Findings

Fijian Sports Minister Jese Saukuru has ordered an investigation into the circumstances that led to Haider’s death. The investigation will also interview persons of interest overseas, according to Saukuru. While the minister could not reveal any other details at the moment, he confirmed that there are some overseas-based individuals the commission would like to speak with.

Expert Calls for Prioritizing Safety

Sydney-based boxing trainer Lepani Wilson has expressed his concern about the safety of boxers, stating that it should always be the top priority. He questioned whether this was something that the Boxing Commission of Fiji (BCF) and boxing officials in Suva are ignoring.

“That should always be top priority,” Wilson said. “In our day, we worked hard to make sure safety was always the focus.” Money, according to Wilson, should be secondary to promoters and officials. If that had been followed, Haider would still be alive today.

Wilson shared his thoughts following revelations that Haider had been admitted to a Sydney hospital with possible brain damage two years ago. He stated that this was one of the reasons Haider was never allowed to fight in Australia as safety was critical for Australian boxing officials to protect.

“He was admitted here, and somehow, someone released him without proper authority,” Wilson said. “Then he returned home and started appearing in fights there. I believe those signs seen two years ago, which led to his hospitalisation here, erupted into what caused him to collapse at the Nadi fight and his sad demise.”

Report Reveals Haider’s Admissions

A report from Liverpool Hospital’s emergency department revealed that Haider had been admitted with possible brain damage due to a head injury. The report stated that Haider was not defending himself after four or five punches had landed.

The report also highlighted the importance of referees in ensuring boxer safety. According to Jeremaia Tadu, former Fiji middleweight champion, the referee should have stopped the fight if they noticed any signs of distress from Haider.

“The referee should have seen if the boxer was not defending himself. If the boxer does not reply after four or five punches have landed, then the referee should stop it,” Tadu said.

Local Promoter Speaks Out

Freddy Chand, a local promoter who allowed Haider to fight in his program, stated that he did not know about the Sydney incident. However, when asked why he allowed Haider to fight, Chand replied, “Simple answer, why did his family and the commission allow him to fight.”

Conclusion

The death of Ubayd Haider has sparked a renewed call for tougher safety measures in Fiji’s boxing scene. With the investigation almost complete, it remains to be seen what changes will be implemented to prevent similar tragedies in the future. As experts and officials continue to voice their concerns about boxer safety, one thing is clear: something must be done to ensure that boxers are protected from harm.