Boxing South Africa Welcomes Arbitration Ruling Confirming Bongani Fule as Mandatory Challenger for Featherweight Title
Attention: All News Editors/Sport Editors/Boxing Writers/Sport Reporters
Statement for immediate Release.
Tuesday, 24 March 2026
Subject: Arbitration Ruling
Boxing SA Headquarters, Hatfield, Pretoria – Boxing South Africa welcomes the ruling issued in the morning of Tuesday, 24 March 2026, by the Arbitration Tribunal. The ruling issued by this tribunal chaired by Advocate KJ Mogale-Makinta (SC) and supported by two members, Advocate HL Mokhutsane and attorney Mr. T. Katake, determines that Bongani Fule is the appropriate challenger to contest the reigning featherweight champion, Lindelani Sibisi.
The ruling concludes more than two months of uncertainty following a previous decision by the Sanctioning Committee, which had named Siyabulela Hem, the current junior featherweight champion, as the mandatory challenger. This decision was contested by Bongani Fule’s camp, leading to a formal dispute that was referred to the arbitration panel by the Board of Boxing South Africa.
The arbitration panel conducted thorough hearings and received oral and written submissions from all relevant parties, including the initiator Mr Mashudu Thenga, the Sanctioning Committee, management of Boxing South Africa and representatives of the three affected boxers:
- Lindelani Sibisi: Represented by promoter, Dr. Dladla and manager Mr. Colin Nathan
- Bongani Fule: Represented by Mr. Andile Mushumpela
- Siyabulela Hem: Represented by promoter, Mr. Ayanda Matiti
Boxing South Africa commends the professionalism and maturity displayed by all parties during the process. This really demonstrated that even at the height of our differences, our love for the sport and respect for one another still reigns supreme. This arbitration process itself has further demonstrated the effectiveness of Boxing South Africa’s internal dispute resolution mechanisms and governance safeguards.
The tribunal’s ruling further identified systemic and structural deficiencies within the organization that require immediate attention to prevent future disputes. Boxing South Africa will surely move swiftly to attend to these issues which have been flagged out by the ruling. These includes a directive to,
a) Ensure that all internal rules and policies are aligned with existing regulations
b) Ensure proper governance and decision-making processes within the sanctioning
committee
c) Take steps to capacitate the sanctioning committee to avoid recurrence of similar
irregularities.
The organization congratulates both confirmed participants for the upcoming featherweight title fight, i.e., the reigning champion Lindelani Sibisi and mandatory challenger Bongani Fule. We also wish our junior featherweight champion, Siyabulela Hem well and remain confident that he will continue to rise and thrive in his current weight division.
The End.
Issued by;
Boxing South Africa
