Fists of fury to kickstart Berlin event

AN AMATEUR boxing show will kickstart Berlin November horse-racing festivities in earnest today in Berlin.

Organised by former South African featherweight champion Jackie Gunguluza, the event will feature 20 bouts in 12 weight classes.

Gunguluza said the crop of athletes will be the best of the best in the unpaid ranks of pugilism from all over the province. Among those will be rising stars such as Gunguluza’s son Msizo “Jr Pressure Cooker” Gunguluza, Asanda Gingxi, Onke “General” Meyiseni, Mzi Mbhexeshi, Sphamandla Ntingilana, Sthembile Flente and Nceba Mankazana.

These fighters are expected to display just why they believe they are the Vuyani Bungus and Floyd Mayweathers of the future.

Gingxi has established himself in the amateur ranks as the fast killer who finishes the fight off before spectators even take to their seats while “General” is said to be the kind of boxer who dictates the term of the fight.

In Ntingilana there is impressive punching power while Mankazana brings impressive footwork.

Gunguluza Jr is praised as a fighter who prides himself with solid defence whereas Flente is apparently a complete boxer with all the necessary skills needed by a pugilist.

With the above fighters featured, said Gunguluza, spectators can expect exhilarating bouts.

According to Gunguluza, his was to plough back to the community by being involved in open boxing to impart the skills he gained as a boxer.

And the partnership he established with Berlin November founder Luthando Bara offered him a perfect platform to do so.

He said he presented to Berlin November organisers his youth development vision and Bara was sold.

And the former champ was hopeful that the partnership would grow from strength to strength in the coming years.

Through today’s event, Gunguluza aims to teach youth discipline through sport and to highlight the importance of education to athletes.

“It is important to conscientise our athletes that sport must always be coupled with edu said Gunguluza, who has the appropiate nickname “Pressure Cooker”.

“I decided to do amateur boxing because it is easier to teach them self-discipline when they are young.”