Ubayd Haider, aka Nathan Singh, is fighting for his life. Photo: Facebook / Ubaid Haidar
The Boxing Commission of Fiji (BCF) has launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding Fijian boxer Ubayd Haider collapsing outside the boxing ring on Saturday.
Haider, formerly known as Nathan Singh, lost by TKO to China's Runqi Zhou in the ninth round of the IBO Asia Pacific Featherweight title bout under the South Pacific Boxing Promotions event.
The young fighter is currently in an induced coma at Lautoka Aspen Hospital, fighting for his life.
His father Gyan Singh said his family is holding on to hope that Haider pulls through.
BCF chairman Adi Narayan said a team has started investigating what happened on Saturday that led to Haider's eventual hospitalisation.
According to local media reports, there were epinephrine and needles allegedly found in the warm-up area at King Charles Park in Nadi.
"Narayan confirms that the Commission of Inquiry members will include a representative from the Boxing Commission and two independent representatives," fijivillage.com reported.
The report said Narayan also confirmed that the IBO had sanctioned the title fights and all boxers were required to be tested for drugs after each fight.
"Narayan says the promoter was responsible and the results were to be shared with the Fiji Boxing Commission."
The promoter for the fight Freddy Chand told local media there were no drug tests conducted.
He told fijivillage.com that "there is a big cost involved" in organising a boxing promotion and the BCF should "help the promoters" to fund events.