Young warriors ready for battle to honour Madiba
Innovative Mthatha boxing tournament marks Mandela’s release
They might not possess the ring guile of a Simphiwe Konkco or the accurate punching power of Zolani Tete yet, but amateur boxers from OR Tambo and Chris Hani district brought a lot of courage and heart on Sunday when they fought in a boxing tournament – all in the name of former president Nelson Mandela.
The tournament was hosted by new boxing company, Blaque Magic Sports Promotions (BMSP) founded by top Mthatha boxing trainer Mthetho Dumezweni and former bodybuilder and powerlifting champion Xolani Mbotya, in partnership with the OR Tambo Amateur Boxing Organisation and the Nelson Mandela Museum.
It was meant to commemorate Madiba's release from prison on February 11 in 1990 after having served 27 years in jail.
The museum was transformed into a boxing arena while a boxing ring was installed right in the middle of one side of Owen Street in Mthatha.
But as expected, many of the bouts were dominated by wild swings and misses, boxers grappling each other onto the ground, and referees having to warn boxers to stick to boxing rules time and again.
Ngcobo boxer Khanya Daweti and Inga Bavu from the Masters Boxing Club in Ngangelizwe Township got the crowd going when they pummelled each other under the scorching Mthatha sun with the latter eventually emerging victorious after three gruelling rounds.
But it was the last bout of the 15-fight tournament that had the crowd on the edges of their seats.
It featured Mthatha's Vuyisa Matyeni from the Khulani Boxing Club against a physicallyimposing Siyamthanda Ncaphayi from Ngcobo.
Matyeni is a Grade 9 pupil at Nozuko Senior Secondary in Mthatha while his opponent is in Grade 10 in Nyanga SSS in Ngcobo.
Delighted screams reverberated around the museum as Ncaphayi charged forward but was stopped time after time in his tracks by the hard punching Matyeni. During the second round, the latter switched from the head and let loose energysapping blows to his opponent's mid-section much to the excitement of the partisan crowd.
It was no surprise that Matyeni was declared the winner on all judges’ scorecards after the three-round fight.
But the vanquished Ncaphayi won everyone’s heart because of his courage after it transpired that he and fellow boxers from the school did not even have a boxing trainer and have to teach each the art of boxing.
He told the Dispatch that he probably would have won his fight if he had received proper training.
“We don't even have boxing pads. All we do is hit a punchbag at school and give each other pointers.”
Asked why he took on the fight, he said he would not miss a chance to fight in honour of Madiba even if it meant coming to the event grossly under-prepared.
“He is my hero but also to the rest of the world. I know he was a boxer as well and so in a way I am following in his footsteps.”
Interestingly, the youngster also plays rugby and soccer at his school but his vision is to one day become a world champion boxer.
Matyeni on the other hand was more excited about having his first trophy as a boxer.
However, he described Ncaphayi as a difficult foe due to his unconventional fighting style; Ncaphayi sometimes would just throw his whole body towards him to try and put him off-balance.
“Boxing is my life and I want to emulate Floyd Mayweather and become a top boxer,” he said.
Sixteen-year-old Qiqa also got a chance to fight for Mandela on Sunday. She said she had seen some photos of the late statesman as a boxer. “He fought for our freedom and I am happy to be part of this tournament.”
Even organisers could not contain their excitement at the success of the tournament with Nelson Mandela Museum chief executive officer Bonke Tyhulu going as far as claiming that Madiba himself would have been proud of the talent on display.
“He was also an amateur boxer. He was fit, hence we are also encouraging young people to participate in boxing,” said Tyhulu.
Mbotya said he was speechless due to the excitement. “It's an amateur tournament but the support has been overwhelming.
“It's our first tournament as BMSP and we didn't even have a sponsor and had to dig deep into our pockets.”
Madiba is my hero and a boxer as well; I’m following in his footsteps