Makhanda tournament showcases young boxers
Mfuzo club’s event a success
Eyethu Young Champs Boxing Club from Motherwell were the overall tournament winners of the Mfuzo Boxing Club tournament at the Hlalani Indoor Sport Centre in Makhanda on Saturday 15 October.
More than 11 clubs sent young boxers to participate in the annual event from as far afield as Komani and even Welkom in the Free State, as well as Gqeberha, Kirkwood, Cathcart, Seymour, Qonce, Dikeni and Alicedale.
Makhanda’s Mfuzo Boxing Club was second overall and third was Sisonke Boxing Club from Mdantsane, East London.
Girls and boys fought in the Cadet, Junior and Elite categories in the tournament marking Mfuzo Boxing Club’s 27th anniversary.
Andile Mofu, former South African National Boxing Organisation (Sanabo) president and owner of the newly established Ace Mates Academy of Sports based in Qonce, was full of praise for the event.
“I would like to congratulate Mfuzo Boxing Camp on their 27th Anniversary!” Mofu said. “That’s how long they have been contributing to the wellbeing of Makhanda. They have been a beacon of hope for these boxers and Mfuzo as the president has brought a tremendous change in their lives, judging from the champions he has produced.
“This tournament gave Ace Mates Academy of Sports boxers a true test of their ability,” he said. “I am also proud that girl boxers came in numbers because recruiting female boxers is still a challenge.”
Mofu said if it weren’t for the challenging economic times, clubs should have rotating tournaments of this nature.
Andile Gege from Nelson Mandela Bay brought four boxers from Wells Open Boxing Club. Two won and two lost.
“The tournament was wonderful. The standard was high and the level of officiating was good,” Gege said. “There were no complaints of unfair results despite the fact that 80% of the referees were officiating at this level for the first time.”
Gege’s highlight was the performance by Wells Elite boxer Luyolo “The Killer Queen” Nketsheni.
“This girl put up a great fight against national 48kg champion Andrea Plaatjies, whom we thought was going to score an easy win against her.”
Owner of the winning club Thando “Inja” Twenani Jnr brought 17 boxers to the event.
“This tournament is great for uniting young boxers across the categories and improving the standard of boxing,” he said.
“We would love Mfuzo BC to get more support from their local municipality and district.”
Tournament organiser Mfuzo Dyira said the best bout was between their club’s Asanele “Lights Out” Macwili and Imitha Mkhala of Mdantsane club, Sisonke. “As a club we were very happy with the tournament,” he said. “We are encouraged to plan for 2023.”