RAHEEM UPSETS PROMOTER MILENKOVIC
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 03 Jul 2008
Well known South African promoter Branco Milenkovic has been upset by the antics of Zahir ?The Z Man? Raheem (29-2, 17 KO?s) who is scheduled to fight Ali Funeka (29-1-2, 24 KO?s)at the Jan Smuts Stadium in East London on Saturday in a blockbuster double-header.
In the other big fight, an IBF flyweight eliminator, Australia?s Hussein Hussein (31-4, 24 KO?s) faces South African Moruti ?Baby Face? Mithalane (21-1, 15 KO?s)
Shortly after he arrived in South Africa, the American who boasts of a big win over Mexican legend Erik ?El Terrible? Morales gave Milenkovic problems by refusing to be weighed at his pre-fight medical examination.
Following a press conference at an East London casino, Raheem left immediately for his hotel despite the fact that he and Funeka were scheduled to weigh- in before the medical. Funeka went through the routine alone and was given a clean bill of health.
Raheem reportedly refused to cooperate even when his manager Bobby Dobbs pleaded with him. It was only when Milenkovic stepped in and threatened to cancel the title eliminator and ask the IBF to award the title shot to Funeka that Raheem returned, rather reluctantly. However, while he submitted himself to the medical, Raheem refused to have his weight checked.
Milenkovic conceded that having his weight checked at the medical was not compulsory.
Boxing writer Mesuli Zifo quoted a fuming Milenkovic as saying ?I have never dealt with a fighter like this. Maybe he has forgotten how much I paid to bring him here.?
Earlier, Raheem snubbed the hotel accommodation provided by Milenkovic and checked in at a hotel of his choice along with his large entourage which included his wife Analee; his mother , brother and trainer Mark Breland a former Olympic gold medalist and WBA world welterweight champion.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
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