BSA takes promoters to task for ‘defiance’
Boxing SA has broken its silence and explained the permission of a boxing tournament featuring three top Eastern Cape boxers in Gauteng last weekend to proceed after initially cancelling it.
This after the regulatory body had issued a statement cancelling the tournament and posted it on its Facebook page.
The show was headlined by EL boxer Xolisani “Nomeva” Ndongeni defending his WBF lightweight crown against Tanzanian Salumi Jengo.
Xolani Mcotheli of Mdantsane was also fighting in the show for the vacant WBF Intercontinental junior-welterweight title beating DRC-born Clement Kamanga.
However the continuation of the show was thrown into uncertainty when promoters TLB Promotions reportedly failed to meet compliance demands.
With boxers caught in the crossfire, not knowing whether they should continue with their training programmes which include dieting, Gauteng Promoters Association (GBPA) intervene to broker peace.
BSA chief executive Tsholofelo Lejaka confirmed it was after the intervention of GBPA that the show was given a green light. “BSA allowed GBPA space to step in and much to our appreciation the joint efforts of the promoters under the guidance of GBPA was able to ensure fullfillment of all compliance requirements thereby enabling the tournament to proceed.”
Although TLB owned by former world champions Lehlo Ledwaba and Jan Bergman managed to officially succeed to stage their second tournament, they were not spared by the regulatory body with Lejaka lambasting them for a series of transgressions.
After the show was cancelled, the promoters continued to tell boxers, trainers and managers that the show was still on much to the annoyance of BSA.
“BSA noted that even after issuance of cancellation directive there continued too be activities by the promoters which suggested that all was well and misled the public when in reality the tournament had been officially been cancelled,” BSA said.
“Such practice can only bring disrepute into the sport and BSA will be taking measures anyone responsible to ensure non-occurrence of such responsible conduct in future.”
The continuation of the show which saw Ndongeni score a fourth round stoppage win, came hot on the heels of similar shenanigans in East London about three weeks ago.
This when members of BSA board including chairman Peter Ngatane were accused of allowing the Xaba Promotions show to continue despite its failure to meet compliance requirements. BSA director of operations Cindy Nkomo had cancelled the tournament but was overruled by Ngatane and board member Khulile Radu.
The handlers of the boxers were excited that the show finally took place with Mcotheli’s trainer Ncedo Cecane said his boxer’s win had now moved him to a challenge for a fully fledged world title. In the same show Dutywa-born female world champion Bukiwe Nonina retained her WBF bantamweight belt beating Ellen Simwaka of Malawi on points.