Metro helps to fund promoters

THE Buffalo City Metropolitan (BCM) has stepped in to help end the drought of boxing tournaments in its jurisdiction by funding promoters to help them organise bouts.

The region held the lowest number of boxing tournaments last year in years, sparking concerns that the sport could suffer a painful death.

BCM is currently known as the boxing Mecca in the land, having produced notable boxing stars including a plethora of world champions such as Welcome Ncita and Vuyani Bungu.

But in recent years tournaments, especially at developmental level, have dwindled alarmingly, significantly minimising the possibility of the emergence of other Ncitas and Bungus.

To counter against this shortcoming, BCM has decided to help local promoters to unearth more boxing talent to maintain the reputation of the region as the boxing hub of the world.

The campaign starts tomorrow at Ilitha, just a few kilometres from King William’s Town, when three promoters team up to present a six-bout show led by an appetising bantamweight clash between Bonani Ngozi of Border Post and Mdantsane’s Mawande Matros.

The bout will pit two boxers from boxing rich backgrounds.

Ngozi is trained by former world champion Simphiwe Nongqayi and managed by two-time Boxing SA manager of the year recipient, Mla Tengimfene. He therefore benefits from top sparring sessions with current world champion Zolani Tete.

“Zolani wants to impart his boxing skills on local rising boxers, and Bonani is one of the young boxers benefiting from his generosity,” Tengimfene said.

With that powerful team behind him Ngozi, who holds the EC bantamweight crown, should cruise to an easy win. But not when his opponent is Matros. With just a single loss in seven bouts, Matros comes with a stellar amateur background, having been part of the provincial team that consisted of current SA junior welterweight king Xolani Mcotheli, former SA junior flyweight champion Luzuko Siyo, Olympian Simpiwe Lusizi and two-time SA champion Aphiwe Mboyiya. Managed by Sihle Mnguni, who was narrowly beaten by Tengimfene for the manager of the year award, Matros is confident of winning his own share of accolades. He hails from the Eyethu Boxing Club, which produced Ncita and Bungu, and is therefore on the trail to carve his own niche in the game.

“This bout should produce fireworks, because both boxers are evenly matched,” said BSA matchmaker of the year winner, Luyanda Kana. “In fact all the bouts in this show should keep spectators on their feet.”

The tournament will start at 2pm. Entry for adults is R60.