Still a big cloud over TV boxing blackout

THE only certainty about the SABC’s much-vaunted return to boxing, scheduled for this Friday night, is that there is uncertainty about the tournament.

With less than a week to go, Boxing SA (BSA) was unable to say who the boxers or promoters would be for the tournament.

Even the regulator’s doctor, Mzwakhe Qobose, on Friday confirmed that nothing had been presented to BSA’s medical and sanctioning committees.

“It will be entirely up to the boxers and their camps to decide if they welcome the offer to fight or not,” said Qobose.

“Fortunately, there will be no title fight because then you need procedures like pre-fight medical, [which must be held] three days prior to the event.”

Normal practice sees tournaments being organised well in advance so that boxers have enough time to prepare and that promoters can secure sponsorships and TV rights.

The Boxing Act also requires promoters to deposit all purse monies to BSA before the tourney.

Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula and SABC chief operating officer Hlaudi Motsoeneng announced last week that boxing would return to the national broadcaster, starting this coming Friday, after a five-year blackout.

For the past three years the SABC had opted to show no boxing because of an interdict obtained by promoter Branco Milenkovic, who objected to BSA trying to claim ownership of TV rights.

That issue has not been finalised and observers are watching with a keen eye to see if the event will go ahead and, if so, how the selection of the promoter will work.

Motsoeneng said he was unfazed by threatened court action. “My view to the team is, let the court decide. We can’t be held to ransom by certain individuals when people want to watch boxing [and] when there is a need for people to watch boxing.”

BSA chairperson Ntambi Ravele said details of the tournament and the rollout of TV dates would be announced this made known this week.

“We will work with both provincial and national governments. We will spread fights throughout the country. The most important thing is people will now be able to follow local fighters — men and women — even when they are fighting abroad. Promoters must start preparing super bouts,” she said.

The SABC’s TV schedule for Friday has yet to include the boxing.

We can’t be held to ransom when people want to watch boxing