Urban Soul sponsors boxing
Locally brewed lifestyle apparel retailers, Urban Soul has found a niche in the international pro boxing market. In partnership with Botswana based boxing promotions,G lobal Boxing Stars, the urban lifestyle clothing retailer is now venturing into the boxing fitness market by supplying stylish leather gloves to their loyal customer base.
Beyond the fitness market, Urban Soul is currently sponsoring an international tournament title Rumble in Dar es Salam, scheduled for the Tanzanian capital later this year.
In an interview this week, Urban Soul owner, Molefi Nkwete said their primary objective is to conquer the local boxing fitness market and demand for the leather gloves is currently high. “It’s not everyone who aspires to be a boxer so we are focusing on fitness enthusiasts and so far 20 of the 40 gloves we have ordered have been sold. We are currently busy ordering around 500 gloves from India,” Nkwete said.
Furthermore, Nkwete said the idea to sell the boxing gloves was conceived after meeting the British born boxing promoter and entrepreneur, Scott Patrick Farrell. We decided that boxing is a market we can tap into as Farrell has an extensive network across the world and he is already doing boxing shows in Africa, including Dar es Salam.
“We have been speaking to the event organiser in Dar essalam and that is how we have decided to sponsor the event. We plan to provide boxing equipment and attire for around 15 boxers, who will be competing at the show. We are not necessarily sponsoring in monetary terms but the gloves come at a cost.” In addition, Nkwete said they will be considering the local market and working with both local promoters and boxers. “We will see what role we can play in Botswana so that we participate in the sport locally.”
Meanwhile, Nkwete said they are planning to work with GBS and Farrell in a new boxing television show where young people from underprivileged communities are being recruited into the sport.