Kariega boxing show set for this weekend
The Boxing against Crime and Drugs tournament, postponed from March 30, takes place at the Babs Madlakane Community Hall in KwaNobuhle on Saturday (doors open at 2pm).
Nelson Mandela Bay boxer Bandile Daniels will square up against Makhanda’s Bongani Fule in a highly anticipated clash for the vacant Eastern Cape featherweight title.
The Boxing against Crime and Drug Abuse tournament is set to be hosted by Nyusa Productions, in conjunction with the NMB Boxing Promoters’ Association and Nelson Mandela Bay municipality.
Co-promoter Mbulelo Mfama of Nyusa said preparations were well under way for the boxing extravaganza.
“Many fights were postponed because of the disagreement between the National Boxing Promoters’ Association and the minister of sport,” Mfama said.
“As a result, because of the rift, Boxing SA could not sanction fights during that period.
“We then decided to host the event on May 6 after everything was resolved between the minister and the national boxing promoters, but then there was a delay in payment because we failed to submit our audited financial statements.
“So now everything is in order — the municipality has released our funds and it’s all systems go. The tournament will be in action this Saturday.”
The event will see 22 boxers competing in different weight divisions, with Daniels and Fule headlining the show.
The main supporting bout has Gqeberha’s Durandt Verwey taking on homeboy Justin Rockman in a middleweight six-round fight.
Mfama said boxing lovers would witness some sizzling and youthful talent coming from the Bay.
“In the line-up with the cream of boxers who have done exceptionally well at the amateur level, boxers from Nelson Mandela Bay, East London and Dimbaza will be competing on the day.
“The tournament will also display the talent coming through from all divisions and that boxing in the Bay is far from dying.”
In another clash, Ayanda Ganqga and Sibusiso Moyakhe, both from Gqeberha, will contest a six-round junior bantamweight fight.
Gqeberha’s Jason Rockman will tackle Mdantsane’s Siyabonga Wellem in a lightweight four-round showdown, while local boxer Sonwabile Marenene will face up to Dimbaza’s Siphiwo Ntsangani in the junior lightweight four-round fight.
A four-round junior featherweight matchup will see Kirkwood’s Bonwabile Myungula fight Mihlali Matyumza, from Mdantsane, and Gqeberha’s Mbulelo Gwabeni and Njongo Skweyiya challenge each other in the junior featherweight division.
Aphiwe Magobiyane will fight Malibongwe Balakisi in the junior lightweights.
Rounding off the bill, Liyema Bolo will take on Anele Hashe (mini-flyweight).
Admission is R60 for both adults and children.