All systems go for SA boxing event in EL
It’s all system go for the blockbuster tournament of SA Boxing Federation (Sabof) on Saturday with organisers tying up loose ends ahead of Saturday’s event at NU6 Mall in Mdantsane.
The event will see amateur boxers from four provinces vying for supremacy in Sabof’s biggest championships to be held in the province.
Already boxers from Western Cape, Gauteng, Kwazulu-natal are on the way to East London, all brimming with confidence in anticipation of making their mark at the event.
The Eastern Cape team was selected after its championships held at Gompo Hall last weekend.
The event will commemorate Heritage Day with Sabof expected to selected the national team from the participants.
“Everything is up to scratch and boxers cannot wait to showcase their talent on level ground,” president Welcome Ncita said.
A former world champion, Ncita was one the leaders of the breakaway structure formed by ex-world champions after seeing the dwindling state of amateur boxing under SA National Boxing Organisation (Sanabo).
The others were former twotime WBC champion Thulani “Sugarboy” Malinga, who is Ncita’s vice-president, former three-time world champion Dingaan Thobela and the late Lehlohonolo Ledwaba.
However, Sabof has been beset by infighting with some members in favour of unity talks under way with Sanabo.
This has seen Sabof provincial leadership being excluded from the event after it became involved in the unity talks.
Ncita refused to comment about infighting within Sabof and the plans of the unity talks, insisting on only talking about Saturday’s event.
“Our focus is to give boxers a platform to showcase their talent and to make sure that Saturday’s event progresses without a glitch.”
Ncita said the tournament would be contested in all weight categories without a split of cadets, youth and senior boxers.