Promoters’ infighting intensifies

Bakubaku jumps ship to join the Matiti faction

The faction infighting between local boxing promoters took another twist this week after the resignation of Champion Bakubaku from the Thando Zonke-led structure.

Bakubaku has now joined the Ayanda Matiti faction, where he previously held the position of deputy president before he was suspended for allegations of corruption.

This follows written submissions by three promoters alleging that Bakubaku had duped them of cash with the promise of securing them funding from Buffalo City Metro.

Bakubaku was a staunch member of Berlin against Forum when a similar fight between two promoters’ groups in the 1980s was at its highest.

He was among the group fed up with Matiti’s leadership of the Eastern Cape Boxing Promoters’ Association (ECBPA), which then decided to form its own structure after a meeting in Port Elizabeth. Bakubaku was elected a deputy to Zonke’s chairmanship position.

The new structure, which did not recognise the Matiti-led association, accusing it of being dysfunctional, has been holding meetings with various stakeholders including the provincial department of sport, recreation, arts and culture as well as the BSA board.

Bakubaku confirmed that he had jumped ship to join the Matiti-led structure.

He argued that he had hoped that all promoters would gather in one meeting to find the solution to the infighting.

“I was disappointed when Zonke and his group did not want to attend a meeting which would involve every promoter,” he said. “Instead they are interested in infighting including taking the provincial government to court.”

He is referring to the failed court interdict Zonke lodged against the department for funding Matiti’s tournament last week without first inviting submissions for tender.

Zonke said Bakubaku had decided to flee after learning that his corruption case would be heard in a meeting scheduled for today.

Asked how Bakubaku was allowed to contest the elections when he had a cloud hanging over his head, Zonke said the charges brought against him were never dropped.

“In fact no hearing was ever held to attend to the allegations, even by the Matiti-led group.

“But we could not simply keep quiet when such allegations were made so we informed Bakubaku that he would have to clear his name in a formal hearing. The subcommittee on grievances and discipline had already informed him that he would have to come for a hearing and now he has decided to jump ship.”

Bakubaku refuted the claims, arguing that his interest was to see boxing unity, with all promoters working under one roof.

“Matiti is in agreement with that but unfortunately Zonke

We informed Bakubaku he would have to clear his name

does not want it.”

Zonke confirmed that he did not want to attend an all promoters’ meeting.

“This other group wants a meeting because they have no quorum. By attending the meeting with them we will be giving them the quorum which they are so desperate for.”

Bakubaku said some promoters had agreed to the meeting and the elections were scheduled for August 17 and 18.

Matiti said his executive welcome Bakubaku’s return and his realisation that his role in establishing a parallel group was toxic to boxing.

“His return gives us an opportunity to prepare for the BGM (biannual general meeting) to elect a legitimate leadership under one roof.”