Dladla hyped up about her maiden tournament
Makhoba will face Paradero in WBF junior bantamweight title
The mere thought of staging her first professional boxing tournament has been punchy enough to give promoter Hlengiwe Dladla sleepless nights since she announced last month that her Hle-Jobe Promotions will stage a tournament at Majuba FET College in Dundee on Saturday.
The arrival of Robert Paradero yesterday from the Philippines, who will fight Gcina Makhoba in what could possibly be a vigorous scuffle for the vacant WBF junior bantamweight title, has served as a remedy for her insomnia because it is confirmation that the tournament is happening.
“I am nervous but excited,” said Dladla, who acquired her promoters’ licence in August.
“I am getting calls all over KwaZulu-Natal. People are telling me they have heard in radio interviews and also read in newspapers about my tournament, and a lot of them promised to come and watch.
Dladla said she did not encounter serious challenges in putting it together: “I want to give credit to my husband [promoter Hlula Dladla] who did all the running around.
“Our children are equally excited. The two boys Zekhethelo and Lujulile are amateur boxers.
“Zekhethelo won his fight in Mooi River on Saturday; this is a family sport,” said Dladla, who revealed that she developed the love for boxing through her husband who would invite her to watch the sport with her on TV in their sitting room.
Spirits are high in Dundee, Makhoba’s hometown.
“People say they can’t wait for Saturday.” Dladla said.
Hlula said the boy to look out for was Ntethelelo Magcaba from Ntshanga – the younger brother of former professional boxer Nomvelo Magcaba.
“That boy is trained by Alex Mchunu who can easily change a southpaw boxer to be a successful orthodox,” said Hlula. Mchunu is the father to Thabiso “The Rock” Mchunu.
Action begins at 2pm.