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Recent action by assistant pathologists at Gauteng government mortuaries, who refused to continue to carry out work that they were unqualified for and not paid for, has delayed the burial of Len Hunt, one of South Africa’s best boxing officials and a global figure.
Hunt’s wife Wendy said the date of his burial would not be decided until the family obtained a death certificate from the mortuary.
“Because of the strikes by Gauteng mortuary workers, it is difficult to get a death certificate and to bury him because a postmortem has not been done as yet.”
She said they were hopeful that a solution would be reached to remedy the solution.
The death of Hunt has dealt the sport of pugilism a devastating blow. The Johannesburg-born Hunt passed away last Saturday at Netcare Linksfield Hospital in Johannesburg at the age of 79.
The towering Hunt officiated South African and international bouts, and was widely respected by his peers and boxers for his no-nonsense approach towards combatants.
Sadly, Hunt never received any appointment to officiate in any fight in the four major sanctioning organisations – the World Boxing Association; World Boxing Council (WBC); World Boxing Organisation; and International Boxing Federation.
Because of his deep love for refereeing and judging high-profile fights, Hunt eventually approached the World Boxing Union and was appointed by the organisation’s president Howard Goldberg to referee a number of bouts.
Having known Hunt myself, he was fond of remarking that he developed a passion for the sport and had met many talented black fighters who were sneaked into white gyms by the late trainer Theo Mthembu in the 1960s. That was during the days when black fighters were barred from sparring with their white counterparts.
As an official of the then SA Boxing Board of Control, Hunt interacted with many top black officials, including Alf “Kid Bassie” Buqwana, who was a top referee.
Buqwana officiated in the controversial South African welterweight title scrap between Harold “The Hammer” Volbrecht and Arthur “ Fighting Prince” Mayisela at the Sun City Superbowl in 1986.
He was instructed to declare the fight a technical draw after it was stopped in the sixth round due to an accidental clash of heads with Volbrecht, who was clearly behind on points, retaining his crown.
Hunt was so disillusioned after the controversy that followed the outcome of the decision of the bout that he resigned as an official in 1987. This after he voiced displeasure at the manner in which the authorities robbed the Fighting Prince, who was clearly leading on points and headed for a win when the fight was halted.
Because of his views about the controversial fight, Hunt did not receive appointments for three successive local tournaments. But he remained defiant.
Soon after this, he joined the SA National Boxing Coordinating Council (SANBCC), a body formed after some stakeholders in boxing became unhappy with the control of professional boxing in the country.
Hunt attended the WBC convention in Cancun, Mexico, in 1992 representing the SANBCC.
After retiring as an official, Hunt became South Africa’s representative for the International Boxing Organisation, a position he has held until he died.
Buqwana said he was devastated by Hunt’s passing.
“As a former referee and judge myself, I’ve learnt a lot from Len. He also used to officiate in some of the fights when I was still a professional fighter,” said Buqwana.
“His death has left the sport of boxing poorer. He was very much outspoken and principled.”
Three-time world champion Dingaan “The Rose” Thobela said: “He was a great motivator and a disciplinarian. He will be sorely missed in and out of the ring.”
