Light at the end of tunnel for boxing
Boxers await approval from minister for action
Professional boxing in SA finally sees a glimmer of hope and all stakeholders need to do now is stick to suggested health methods of minimising the chances of being infected by Covid-19 that put the sport down for a count of 10 in March.
There has been no action since the national lockdown was implemented in March.
Boxers spent their days idling without even going to gyms due to restrictions. That opened big holes in their pockets.
But sports, arts and culture minister Nathi Mthethwa brought back some life when he gave them permission to resume training in August under level 3 of the Covid-19 restrictions.
Mthethwa also gave permission for the resumption of tournaments, but behind closed doors.
Golden Gloves boss Rodney Berman intends to stage what he calls “Back4Battle”
a three-title event which will be headlined by the final of the 4@War junior middleweight series between Brandon Thysse and Boyd Allen at Emperors Palace on October 10.
This tournament will feature the battle of the SA cruiserweight vacant title between Akani Phuzi and Chris Thompson. But it is subject to Mthethwa’s approval.
In the meantime, all the boxers lined up to feature in that tournament were tested for Covid-19 yesterday.
This is a big step towards seeing boxers back in action.
The testing a precautionary measure by Berman and Boxing SA took place at Peter Smith’s gym in Fourways.
Golden Gloves tournament coordinator Jeff Ellis said: “The testing included designated sparring partners to each camp.
“Boxers lined up for action in October can spar with the guys that we tested.
“From now on they will send us and BSA results of their tests that they will continue to do at their gyms.
“We will be monitoring them because we’ve to make sure they comply with all required medicals.
“We can’t falter here. We told them that they must self-isolate because we can’t take risks.”
In the event that Mthethwa grants permission, all boxers, trainers, managers, officials and everyone else who will be involved in Berman’s tournament on October 10 will be required to go into a bubble (it can be a hotel) for at least a week before the date of the tournament.
No-one will be allowed to go out or go in. It is a very costly measure, but at least Mthethwa and Boxing SA would have done their best to minimise the chances of all involved in boxing on that day from getting infected by the virus which has killed almost a million people globally, including respected American boxing referee Eddie Cotton.