CEBU CITY, Philippines — Two Filipino boxers who were scheduled to compete in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, were allegedly subjected to maltreatment and later fell ill under controversial circumstances ahead of their respective bouts on April 26.
Alvin Camique (11–4–1, 6KOs) and Cristian Legane (8–2–3, 5KOs) were both slated for eight-round non-title fights against Tanzanian opponents Ibrahim Mafia and Kalolo Amiri, respectively. That turned out to be a traumatizing experience for both Filipino boxers and their team in Tanzania.
Disturbing events
Their camp claimed the lead-up to fight night was marred by a series of disturbing incidents, including accusations of banned substance use, alleged confiscation of personal belongings, and eventual health issues that resulted in controversial losses.
According to reports from their team, the Filipino boxers were confronted by local individuals, some uniformed personnel, who accused them of using performance-enhancing drugs. The accusations reportedly stemmed from their consumption of bottled energy drinks and multivitamins, which they insisted were legal supplements. The issue escalated further when a Tanzanian individual allegedly labeled their supplements as “drugs” on social media.
The situation reportedly worsened, where their passports and personal belongings were allegedly confiscated by uniformed personnel. The fighters also claimed they were not provided transportation to the weigh-in area, forcing them to walk a long distance.
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Breaking point
Tensions reached a breaking point on April 24, when both Camique and Legane, along with several members of the foreign delegation — including boxers from China and India — reportedly fell ill shortly after the official weigh-in. A total of seven individuals were said to have suffered symptoms consistent with food poisoning.
By fight day, several athletes were already experiencing dizziness and weakness. The visiting fighters were reportedly confined to their accommodation and relied solely on meals provided within the facility, raising further suspicion among the affected camps.
Despite his condition, Legane proceeded with his bout against Amiri. The fight, however, ended amid controversy after Legane complained of illegal punches to the back of the head that were not addressed by the referee. The bout was eventually stopped and ruled a first-round technical knockout victory for the hometown fighter. Legane was later rushed to a hospital for medical attention.
“Pinipilit ko lang sa sarili ko na makaakyat sa ring kahit wala na ako sa sarili ko. Iniisip ko na lalaban ako para makauwi lang ako dito sa Pilipinas kasi ramdam ko na na nanghihina ako. Iniisip ko kung hindi ako lalaban, baka di na ako makakauwi nang buhay,” Legane recounted his ordeal in a post he posted on his Facebook account.
(“I forced myself to climb up the ring and fight even though I was not myself. I was thinking that I have to go fight so that I could go home to the Philippines, because I felt I was getting weaker. I was thinking that if I wouldn’t fight, maybe I wouldn’t go home alive.”)
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Controversial split decision against Camique
Camique, meanwhile, was deemed unfit to compete due to dehydration and illness. His fight was subsequently postponed to May 1.
In the rescheduled bout, Camique returned to the ring with renewed determination against Mafia. He controlled large portions of the fight and scored knockdowns in the second and fifth rounds. However, the judges awarded Mafia a controversial split decision victory.
In a social media post, trainer Sulpicio Anoos expressed frustration over their hellish ordeal in Tanzania.
“Una, gi-confiscate among mga gamit, apil na among mga vitamins. Gipagawas pa gyud nga ‘drugs’ kuno. Buhaton jud nila ang tanan maguba lang ang pangalan sa boxer,” Anoos said.
(“First, they confiscated our things, including our vitamins. They even accused us that they were drugs. They would do everything to ruin a boxer’s name.”)
He also described the sudden illness that affected the camp ahead of the cancelled April 24 bout.
“Kalit mi naluya […] hangtod nakaamgo nalang mi nga naa nami sa hospital, naka-dextrose. Mao ni hinungdan nga na-cancel ang fight ni Alvin C. Camique,” he added.
(“We suddenly felt weak […] until we realized that we were already in the hospital, hooked up with IVs. This is the reason why Alvin C. Camique’s fight was canceled.”)
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