‘Covid cases need to dip to allow more fights’
The CEO of Joy 4 Joy Boxing Promotions, Arnold Nododile, hopes to see a slowdown of the surging numbers of Covid-19 infections so that they can continue to give SA fighters a platform to showcase their skills.
The fast-rising Covid-19 cases in Mzansi that prompted the country’s move to lockdown alert level 4 have put a halt to Nododile’s planned tournaments as one of their showpieces was scheduled for Mpumalanga’s Graceland Casino on July 30 and formed part of their fiveyear plan.
The postponed Mpumalanga instalment was their second event in their boxing promotion business following May’s successful boxing feast in Sandton.
“We are crossing our fingers that the Covid-19 infections slow down so that we can continue with our plans. Cancelling the tournament was a difficult decision because all the logistics were in place and the boxers wanted to get back to the ring. But as Joy 4 Joy Boxing Promotions, we complied and postponed the event to contribute in helping save lives,” said Nododile.
“Despite the regulatory body Boxing South Africa giving all the sanctioned tournaments the go ahead, under strict Covid-19 protocols, we chose to postpone the event. We are going to wait for the 14-day stipulations.”
Nododile said it was logistically impossible for them to stage a tournament under lockdown alert level 4 regulations. “Our tournament was going to be over a duration of eight bouts and each camp brings two members [trainer and assistant] and there are broadcasting crew and sports and boxing journalists, it is really impossible to have only 50 people,” he said.
Nododile said they had planned to host a tournament every two months for the next five years. “We have already hosted national and international championships; we want to give talented boxers platforms to showcase their talents and reach international stages.
“Our aim is to revive South African boxing and bring it to its former glory. We also hope other promoters will follow suit and start staging at this level as well to increase the opportunities for South African boxers.”