Fight fans urged to back female promoters

BOXING SA (BSA) chairwoman Muditambi Ravele has pleaded with the general boxing public to rally behind the four female promoters who have been tasked with the organisation of women-only tournaments.

They are Phindile Mbhele, Sbongile Matiti, Mbali Zantsi and Zandile Malinga.

Usually women get to fight in August to coincide with Women’s Month.

BSA felt it cannot wait for August and it then gave Mbhele, Matiti and Zantsi funding to give female SA and provincial champions some action, without neglecting development.

Ravele said: “We urge our loving boxing community to rally behind these courageous promoters, pack the venues and cheer their favourite female boxers. We further urge them to sit back and marvel at the artistry of our female ring officials as they command the game with a feminine touch and deliver top notch adjudication all the way.”

Mbhele, of Aphilile Boxing Promotion, has already staged her tournament at Nagoza Jebe Hall in Port Elizabeth where SA junior lightweight holder Nozipho Bell retained her belt on points against Smangenduku Magwaza.

Action continues tonight at Mdantsane Indoor Centre with Matiti’s Zbashy Boxing Promotions.

Asandiswa Nxokwana will headline the seven-bout card in the defence of her SA featherweight strap against Unathi Myekeni.

Zantsi’s Showtime Boxing Promotions will stage the third tournament, at Kempton Park Civic Hall in Ekurhuleni tomorrow afternoon. SA welterweight holder Sandra Almedia and Nomandithini Ndyambo will top the card, while BSA 2016 prospect of the year Melissa Miller and Smangele Hadebe will vie for the vacant Gauteng bantamweight strap.

Malinga, from Ladysmith, is yet to confirm the date and venue for her tournament.