Windhoek
Martin Haikali’s much-anticipated title bout against British opponent Dave Ryan for the vacant Commonwealth junior lightweight belt was called off just minutes before he was to step into the ring in Leeds, England, on Saturday.
According to his handler Nestor Tobias, the Namibian boxer went through all the required medicals check-ups by the British Boxing Control Board, which included a MRI/MRA brain scan, HIV blood test, and Hep B C D A, whereupon he was given a clean bill of health.
But surprisingly, while warming up in the dressing room to get ready to enter the ring, the dressing room inspector declared him unfit to enter the boxing ring, after he spotted an open wound on his arm.
“It remains a mystery as to why they called off the fight for a minor wound after he had passed all his medicals. We are waiting for a comprehensive report before we engage the promoter in the UK to get more clarity,” said a clearly disappointed Tobias.
Tobias admitted that the boy is obviously disappointed but expressed the hope to reignite his confidence when he gets back with his trainer Tobias Nashilongo, who accompanied the boxer to the UK.