Tanzania: Ashraf Heaps Scorn On Bout Organisers

The Citizen (Dar es Salaam)

Majuto Omary

15 March 2011

Heavyweight boxer Ashraf Suleiman yesterday criticised promoter Shomari Kimbau for cheering Awadh Tamim during their East and Central Africa Heavyweight bout on Saturday.

The Zanzibari, who succumbed to Tamim’s punches in the seventh round, claimed that Kimbau’s action was unprofessional and put him off.”As a promoter, he was not supposed to take sides, but from the outset, Kimbau was cheering my foe…that killed my spirit, thus I decided to surrender,” Ashraf said.

Speaking lividly during an interview with The Citizen, the 115kg boxer claimed that Kimbau’s action was one of the major reasons that prompted him to hang his gloves.

“Tamim won the fight, I have no problem with that, but if we are to meet again under neutral officials, he really has no chance to beat me,” he bragged. Ashraf added: “Tamim could not have won the bout had I not decided to surrender…I did so to fulfil organisers wishes.”

The pugilist said they agreed on hiring a professional referee from Kenya (Shaaban Ogolla), but the condition was not met.”We knew that the referee would come from Kenya, but no efforts were done to hire him and they did not inform my camp. “I believe those who were picked to officiate were just there for the interests of the organisers,” he claimed.

Despite announcing retirement, the Isles fighter hinted that he would reverse his decision should the rematch be organised by neutral individuals.”Everyone witnessed my quality on Saturday, I overwhelmed him, but what Kimbau did put me off and I could not continue with the bout. “I am a good boxer and I am ready to tackle Tamim anytime provided that there is a neutral promoter and fair referee,” he said.

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