Matiti spreading his wings
But East London still firmly in his future plans
TOP East London boxing promoter Ayanda Matiti of Xaba Promotions and Events has denied that he has turned his back on the city to pursue his promotional opportunities elsewhere.
Matiti was reacting to the news that his company will organise tournaments in Free State and Gauteng respectively.
This move was fuelled by his standoff with Buffalo City Metro after they turned down his request to fund his December 16 show held at Mdantsane Indoor Centre.
The tournament featured the IBF International champion Makazole Tete defending his title against Filipino Jonas Sultan and the SA junior-lightweight king Aphiwe Mboyiya risking his crown against Phila Mpontshane with the challengers both dethroning the champions in emphatic fashion.
This despite the fact that XPE has been one of the most successful outfits with thrilling shows attracting both broadcasters SABC-TV and SuperSport.
Matiti subsequently sought legal action against the municipality.
But while confirming his two tournaments on March 31 at Ekurhuleni and Mangaung Indoor Centre in Free State, Matiti vehemently denied that he had turned his back on East London.
“I will never leave East London no matter what but we felt we needed to grow the brand because I am a South African promoter, not only confined in East London,” he said.
His show at Ekuruleni Indoor Sports Centre in Ekurhuleni will be funded by SuperSport and will be headlined by IBO junior-bantamweight champion Gideon Buthelezi defending his belt against Mexican Angel Aviles.
The event at Mangaung will be bankrolled by Free State government and will see the return of Tsiko Mulovhedzi risking getting stripped of his IBO welterweight crown by opting to fight for the IBF Intercontinental title.
The IBO has already threatened to strip Mulovhedzi of the title if he fights for another one belonging to another world body.
Matiti has confirmed that he was aware of the IBO threat but insisted that Mulovhedzi, who won the title from Mdantsane’s Ali Funeka, will go ahead with the IBF sanctioned bout against German Dario Socci.
Matiti said after the two shows XPE would return to East London on April 28, where he will organise the double SA title fights featuring his new recruit Ludumo Lamati challenging Bongani Mahlangu for the SA junior-featherweight crown.
This bout has been in the works for some time while Lamati was still under the Rumble Africa Promotions, which seemed reluctant to pit him against Mahlangu even when Matiti, who also handles the champion, gave them the green light.
Now with Lamati having jumped ship to join his promotion, Matiti said the fight will become a reality.
Lamati, who has also bolted the Sean Smith stable to join Phumzile Matyhila, will face his biggest test of his professional and amateur career against Mahlangu.
The show will also see Xolani Mcotheli and Flint Mdletshe battling for the vacant SA junior-welterweight crown on the undercard.
“As you can see we will be coming back to East London in vengeance,” he said.