Promoter revels in Tyirha’s drawing power

Tewo Promotion (TP) boss Happy Tewo predicted good things for Mdantsane boxer Nhlanhla Tyirha after he drew a full house in his title fight at the East London International Convention Centre at the weekend.

This was even though Tyirha was fighting a relatively easy opponent as he won every round against Filipino Orlie Silvestre to lift the vacant IBF Intercontinental junior-flyweight title.

Two judges saw Tyirha pitching a shutout 119-109 while the third had it 120-108 to underline the 23-year-old’s dominance.

Though the Filipino posed no danger to the NU7 left-hander, Tyirha sported puffiness around his face after the fight — testimony to Silvestre’s stinging swings. The fight marked the first full house at the venue in a long time, confirming Tyirha’s drawing power, which he has consistently maintained even when he was under the banner of Xaba Promotions.

Tyirha was making his debut under Rumble Africa Promotions, who loaned him out to TP.

And Tewo could not be happier after managing to convince SABC TV to televise the event live.

“This is by far my best tournament since I started promoting in 2020,” Tewo said.

“I could not have wished for a boxer like Tyirha in my first televised show and I hope we will continue this partnership going forward.”

It was indeed a remarkable improvement for Tewo, who staged his first tournament in a church hall without spectators because of Covid-19 restrictions.

The public broadcaster was reportedly happy with the electrifying atmosphere as members of the packed crowd sang, chanted and screamed their lungs out.

The preliminary bouts fanned the fires and produced breathtaking knockouts, with the featherweight clash between Mdantsane’s Yamkela Phaliso and Bulelani Ngondeka stealing the show because of its many twists before Phaliso prevailed via a come-from-behind stoppage win 15 seconds from the end.

“I think the event was a good advert for boxing and underlined the passion local fans have for the sport,” Tewo said.

This was echoed by Boxing SA COO Mandla Ntlanganiso, who hailed all those involved for producing a remarkable tournament.