All systems go for iconic action
THE International Boxing Federation (IBF) is bracing itself for the mother of all battles when it sanctions bouts that will honour birthday celebrations of late former struggle icon Nelson Mandela.
The tournament will be the fourth edition of the annual Mandela boxing day whose rights are held by Xaba Promotions and Events (XPE). Since its inception in 2014, the event has become a permanent feature on the SA boxing calendar drawing visitors from around the world.
This time it will feature three international bouts two of which will be sanctioned by the IBF with whom XPE has just cemented relations in its bid to reconnect it with the country’s boxing.
With XPE having just been bestowed with the IBF regional award honour, the stage is set for the most explosive of all the editions.
Already the IBF has dispatched its top officials to handle the bouts, with the federation’s Daryl Peoples personally appointing the officials himself.
The officials are African and Persian Gulf president Onesmo Ngowi, who is tasked with supervising the event.
The men tasked with ensuring that the bouts are contested fair and square will be top official Deon Dwarte, whose no-nonsense approach has both endeared him and antagonised those on the receiving end of his tough approach.
Dwarte is not shy to render outcomes that sometimes go against SA boxers despite travelling with them for bouts abroad.
He incurred the wrath of local boxer Makazole Tete’s supporters when he kept warning him in his bout against Filipino Raymond Tabugon at Orient Theatre in August last year.
Dwarte also seized a towel from ringside himself to wipe the ring after realising that boxers were in danger of sustaining possible injuries by slipping on the wet canvas.
He will be accompanied by Jacobs van Niewenhuizen who is the son of veteran referee, Jaap van Niewenhuizen.
Neville Holt and the only female official, Sylvia Mokaila, will complete the team.
Mokaila is rated the best female official in the land and that was confirmed after she won the Female Ring Official of the Year at the Boxing SA awards in Durban in January.
The unassuming official remains the shining beacon from the North West province especially in Mafikeng where she hails from.
XPE boss Ayanda Matiti has appealed to local boxing fans to buy tickets on time to avoid disappointment.
“This is going to be the big night of boxing so the sooner fans secure tickets the better for them,” he said.
The event will return to the East London Convention Centre where it was launched three years ago.
Boxers to feature include Mzuvukile Magwaca, who will be making his XPE debut against Nicaraguan Yesner Talavera with the OIIBF Intercontinental bantamweight belt up for grabs. Newly crowned SA junior-featherweight champion Ludumo Galada will welcome his first international opponent, when he faces Colombian Luis Melendez for the IBF Intercontinental crown.
IBO junior-bantamweight champion Gideon Buthelezi will put his title at risk against Filipino Ryan Pontes, while the local derby plays out between Mthatha homeboys Siphamandla Baleni and Bangile Nyangani – with the SA mini-flyweight belt at stake. — Boxing Mecca