E Cape pulls no punches

THREE TOURNEYS FOR MADIBA

THE fight fraternity in Eastern Cape is hoping to deliver a knockout blow to other provinces in celebrating the life of departed statesman Nelson Mandela as an aspirant boxer.

Mandela was a lifelong student of the sweet science and was a friend of several heavyweight champions including the late Muhammad Ali.

Three professional tournaments have been lined up for this month, which coincides with Nelson Mandela month and his birthday today.

The first tournament will take place at Mlungisi Hall in Queenstown on July 24, where X Boxing Promotions and Sakhisizwe Boxing Promotions will jointly present a ninebout card that will be headlined by Ali Funeka’s defence of his WBO Africa welterweight title against Justice Addy from Ghana.

The main supporting bout of Xolani Jamani and Max Mabhuti’s tournament will be a national super middleweight championship between holder Balemo Weliya and Lee Dyer, while Noxolo Makhanavu will defend her SA flyweight title against Siphosethu Nxazonke.

Elsewhere, Xaba Promotions and Events of Ayanda Matiti will stage its international tournament – its third to honour Mandela – at Selbourne Park on July 29.

Topping the bill will be Makazole Tete against Filipino Raymond Tagubo for the vacant IBF Intercontinental junior bantamweight belt. Aphiwe Mboyiya will oppose Tagubon’s countryman Jerry Castroverde for the vacant IBF Youth junior lightweight title while Daluxolo Mangcotywa will take on Siphamandla Baleni for the vacant South African mini flyweight belt.

Then on July 30, Zulu Sports Production, Mkwayi Boxing Promotions and Inathi Events, in partnership with the OR Tambo municipality, will stage an 11-bout card at OR Tambo Hall in Mthatha where recently crowned WBA Pan African lightweight champion Patrick Malinga will defend against Viwe Mdletyeni.

Xolani Mcotheli will make a come back, following his split points decision loss to Vishkhan Murzabekov in Russia in March, against Marcus Lebogo in a non-title junior welterweight bout over six rounds. Murzabekov was defeated by Funeka for the vacant IBO International welterweight belt in Russia in May.

Also to feature on the bill of promoters Bongani Zulu, Sakhi Mayataza and Luvuyo Mfene will be former SA junior bantamweight champion Unathi Gqokoma against Phila Mpontshane in the junior lightweight class over six rounds.

Gqokoma last fought in August last year, when he defeated Luthando Mbumbulwana.