Scud Missile to host world title fight
Local boxing promotion company, Scud Missile Promotions, this week launched the first world champion title match to be ever held in the country. The World Boxing Federation ( WBF) junior lightweight title fight, pitting local sensation Steven Bagwasi ( 8 wins 1 loss) and Ridwan ( 8 wins 1 loss 1 draw) Oyekola of Nigeria is scheduled for August 26th at the University of Botswana Arena in Gaborone.
Addressing audience members and the press in Gaborone this week, local promoter Thuso “Scud” Khubamang said this will be the first time a local boxer competes for a world title in a fight that is promoted by a Motswana. “This is a vacant world title and the WBF sanctioning body has shown confidence in us to host a world title fight after recently organising lesser title fights in local soil. Professional boxing is currently playing its part and reducing the scourge of unemployment in the country,” Khubamang said.
Khubamang continued: “We need to host 4 or 5 boxing events in a year so that we employ more boxers and we are calling on more sponsors to come on board to help in growing the sport. These boxing events cost a lot of money to organise and we are calling on more government ministries to join our existing sponsors.” Some of the current fight sponsors include Botswana Tourism Organisation, Ministry of Sports, Air Botswana, Coca Cola and Motor & Glass. “We are asking companies to sponsor individual boxers so that they are able to grow with them.”
Speaking during the same occasion, Professional Boxing Association of Botswana President Seroba Binda said they were proud to host a 4th title fight to be staged in Botswana. Binda applauded Scud Missile for their consistency and contribution to professional boxing over the years. “I happen to be one of the professional boxers who came through Scud Missile Promotions earlier on and I managed five straight wins, all by way of knockout. If I had more support I could have retired as a world champion,” Binda said.
He further mentioned that the reigning WBF Super Featherweight champion, Moabi Ngaka and the first woman boxer to turn professional in Botswana, Aratwa Kesemang are expected to be in the undercard as supporting bouts against opponents yet to be announced. For his part, the title contender, Steven Bagwasi said he has been preparing for the title fight since last year. ” I am looking forward to becoming the first professional boxing world champion in Botswana. I want to thank my team for the preparation that I have been getting and I am promising Batswana that they will be having a world champion later this year.”