Long serving referee and judge Sazi Xamlashe, who also fought as a junior lightweight from 1976 to 1982 according to Boxrec, passed away on Sunday at a hospital in Cape Town. He was 70.
He made his pro debut on 6 March 1976 at the Gugulethu Civic Hall and finished with a record of 5-6: 3 in 1982, according to Boxrec.
Even though he did not have much success as fighter he proved to be a competent referee and judge over many years.
Known as Baba Sazi he acted as a referee and judge for more than 27 years and was the referee in a number of South African title fights involving Osborn Machimana, Godfrey Nzimande, Thabiso Mchunu, Vincent Vuma, Earl Morais, Vusi Malinga, and Joseph Makaringe.
He was also a judge in a few IBO/IBF/WBU and Word Boxing Foundation world title fights and in several regional title fights as a judge for the WBC, IBF WBO and WBA.
His last assignment was as a judge on 19 December last year in Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth), when Nozipho Bell outpointed Matshidiso Mokebisi over ten rounds for the IBF Intercontinental junior lightweight title.