Covid-19 regulations put boxing organisers for Gqeberha bout in a spin

Boxing SA’s controversial Covid-19 regulations have caused a stir ahead of the Gqeberha boxing tournament scheduled for April 24.

This after the regulatory body informed the organisers that only one representative (guest) from funders would be allowed, in line with Covid-19 regulations.

This has left Rumble Africa Promotions (Rap), who is promoting the tournament, in a spin as they have to explain that to their financial partners which includes media houses such as SuperSport which will televise the show.

BSA’s hardline stance has already ruffled feathers in the boxing fraternity after two promoters were hauled before a disciplinary hearing for violating Covid-19 regulations.

Promoters André Thysse and Lebo Mahoko were called to a DC hearing last week for failing to obey the regulations.

Thysse attended a tournament in Cape Town to support his boxer Josh Pretorius, who was fighting for the SA heavyweight title, while Mahoko invited 15 officials from the Free State department of sports, recreation, arts & culture to his tournament in Kroonstad, without following BSA’s Covid19 protocols.

Mahoko will appear before a BSA disciplinary hearing next month.

And as the focus shifts to Gqeberha where Rap will stage the IBF world junior-flyweight title clash between Sive Nontshinga of East London and Filipino Christian Araneta at The Boardwalk Casino, BSA has insisted that only one representative from The Boardwalk Hotel would be allowed to attend.

The regulatory body has issued similar demands to other funders of the tournament.

“We have informed Rap of the requirement to abide by Covid-19 regulations,” BSA acting CEO Cindy Nkomo said.

BSA has taken a battering over its stance with boxing stakeholders, voicing displeasure with its regulations.

However, Nkomo defended the stance saying the rules had not been designed by BSA. These were government regulations intended for everyone.

“As a regulatory body of boxing we are also responsible for enforcing the Covid-19 regulations failing which we would be in serious trouble.

“I see that everyone blames us but remember breaking these regulations is a criminal offence.”

Reacting to the matter, Rap sounded surprised, arguing that they were yet to be furnished with the requirements.

“We were under the impression that we would be allowed to bring two representatives from our partners and we were working around that,” Rap CEO Nomfesane Nyatela said.

“BSA EC provincial manager Phakamile Jacobs told us that only 100 people in total would be allowed into the venue and that the number included boxers, managers, ring officials and the media.

“I do not know if that will be possible because we have our own special guests.”

Eight bouts will be contested by 24 boxers with Nontshinga-Araneta clash topping the bill.

Other bouts involve the SA flyweight title clash between Jackson Chauke and Luyanda Ntwanambi, IBF Africa junior featherweight title showdown between Ayabonga Sonjica and Theophilus Tetteh from Ghana, Yanga Sigqibo battling Filipino Jerald Paclar for the WBO intercontinental junior bantamweight belt and a slew of preliminary bouts.

No public spectators are permitted to attend.