Booi, oh Booi what a show!
The return of boxing activity to Queenstown last weekend drew a full house as locals cheered on local boxers at the Indoor Centre.
The region, which is renowned for its steep boxing history, had not held a boxing tournament since 2016.
Local fans proved that they are hungry for boxing when they crammed the venue to witness the Zuko W Promotions show topped by the Eastern Cape featherweight title clash between Aphiwe Masangwana and Simthembele Luzipho.
Zuko Promotions boss Khwezi Booi was delighted with how the show panned out.
“I can simply describe the show as being excellent,” he said.
“People came in their numbers to witness several bouts which produced fireworks.”
Funded by Chris Hani District Municipality, the show saw about nine bouts being contested by local boxers and their peers from other regions.
Some were fighting for the first time at home, a privilege some of their peers could not benefit from when they were forced to seek activity in other regions.
While all the bouts produced fireworks, the spotlight was on the main bout which served as a grudge match as Masangwana and Luzipho had a score to settle.
Luzipho had beaten Masangwana in April, but the Duncan Village boxer was looking for revenge.
With his corner manned by 2015 trainer of the year Mzamo Njekanye, Masangwana got off to a fast start determined to turn the tables.
After all was said and done, Masangwana was declared the new provincial champion, taking a huge step towards getting an opportunity to exact his other revenge to SA champion Khanyile Bulana, who is one of the three boxers to beat him.
Njekanye was thrilled by the win by his charge.
“This time we came fully prepared and Masangwana followed the game plan to the ‘t’,” he said.
However, the best bout of the afternoon was between local favourite Luyolo Mbombo and Sabelo Nkosi in the mini-flyweight division.
Both boxers went hammer and tongs at each other.
With Mbombo being cheered on by the local crowd he appeared to be overcoming Nkosi, only for the Mpumalanga-born visitor to shift to another gear and pull it off. Nkosi was delcared the winner on points, but Mbombo was embraced by the fans for his gallant stand.
Booi promised that other tournaments are on the pipeline.
“We will submit a report to the municipality,” he said.
People came in their numbers to witness several bouts which produced fireworks
Luvuyo Mphuthi TKO 4 Sikhokhelo Tuso (light); Phumelele Cafu TKO 4 Thandolwethu sNkwenteni (jnr-fly) Masibulele Mjila TKO 2 Zamuzolo Phongomile (jnr-welter); Lusizo Manzana TKO2 Enathi Stelle (fly); Lwandile Ngxeke KO 2 Sipho Ntshiliza (jnr-fly); Sabelo Nkosi W 4 Luyolo Mbombo (mini-fly); Siphe Mxoli W4 Thobela Breakfast (jnr-feather); Aphele Nkina D 4 Xolani Zindlo (mini-fly)