Eldos defies the chill for boxing
Starved fans see action-packed, 10 bout tournament
Results did not matter that much in nine of the 10 bouts that were staged by Victory Sports Productions at Don Mateman Hall in Eldorado Park on Friday evening.
What mattered most was that the estimated 500 fans enjoyed an evening of boxing, ignoring the chilly weather in and outside the hall.
The tournament was staged by female promoter Shanell Winlock. Some recognisable faces in attendance were veteran promoters Obed Molekwa, Ezekiel Mtshali and Pat Molefe, former SA cruiserweight champion Earl Morais and retired Bafana Bafana legends Fabian McCarthy and Stanton Fredericks. BSA was represented by chairwoman Muditambi Ravele.
The vociferous fans enjoyed action from 52 rounds of what was pencilled down to be 58 rounds from five four rounders, three four round bouts and a 10 rounder for the vacant Gauteng welterweight belt.
Six boxers made their professional debuts. This nursery tournament featured local female fighter Melissa Miller who was disappointing in her four rounder against SA-based Ugandan Nathaline Bania who was denied a deserved points win. The fight was declared a draw.
In the main bout Tebogo Malose was crowned Gauteng champion after beating Zenzele Ntanzi into submission in five rounds.
The bout of the evening was a junior bantamweight over six rounds between Khayalethu Mbedje and Cletus Mbele. Mbeje held his own against the 31-fight veteran and won the bout and improved to two wins against four losses.