The inclement weather sweeping through the province has dealt a low blow to preparations around a boxing tournament scheduled for Friday meant to celebrate the legacy of late struggle icon and former president Nelson Mandela.
The event was initially scheduled for an open space at Selborne Tennis court. However, the cold front which has been wreaking havoc in the province, forced event organisers to opt for an enclosed venue as a replacement, just in case.
Fight promoter Ayanda Matiti of Xaba Promotions and Events (XPE) yesterday confirmed that the event had since been moved to the Orient Theatre on the same day.
The tournament is the third edition of the annual Mandela boxing tournament, celebrating the birthday of the former president, with boxers from abroad taking on local opponents.
In the main bout, Mdantsane’s Makazole Tete will vie for the vacant IBF Intercontinental junior bantamweight crown against Filipino Raymond Tabugon.
Newly-crowned SA junior lightweight champion Aphiwe Mboyiya will battle it out for the vacant IBF Youth title against another Filipino, Jerry Castroverde.
Athenkosi Dumezweni will fight Namibian Abmerk Shidjuu for the vacant WBO Africa junior bantamweight title.
In a South African WBA Africa and IBO Intercontinental mini flyweight local derby, Mdantsane’s Daluxolo Mancotywa takes on Mthatha-born Siphamandla Baleni.
SABC has already committed to televising the event live, and there were concerns that bad weather could disrupt the tournament.
Local boxing fans have also been expressing concern about expected cold weather on Friday night as temperature levels continue to drop.
Matiti said: “We were worried about this weather because what is paramount to us is that fight fans enjoy the show in a comfortable environment while the boxers entertain.”
The XPE boss said he was pleased that he had managed to secure an enclosed venue on time since he did not want to inconvenience fans.
“We had plenty options but finally managed to secure Orient, which is a seasoned venue for massive boxing events and boxing fans are accustomed to it.”
The Mdantsane Indoor Centre, which is a fraction smaller than Selborne Park, was also considered but due to its size Matiti decided against it. They were also at one stage considering Christian Church in Wilsonia as an alternative venue.
Matiti promised that the event would be a thriller, especially since it celebrates a luminary of Madiba’s stature.
Several prominent individuals within the sporting fraternity – and outside – are expected to attend.
Among them are Sport and Recreation Minister Fikile Mbalula and his provincial counterpart, Pemmy Majodina, Minister of Home Affairs Malusi Gigaba and the former praise singer of both former presidents Mandela and Thabo Mbeki, Zolani Mkiva.
Besides the boxing, spectators will also be entertained by several artists, local and national, including the popular Naak Music, otherwise known as MJ, which was his moniker in his role on SABC soapie Generations.
In non-title fights, Simphiwe Lusizi will battle it out against Vincent Mulaudzi in the middleweight division over six rounds, while Mlamli Matyumza and Mbulelo Dyani will brawl it out in a Mdantsane versus Duncan Village rivalry.
Fighters sharpen up for Madiba tribute
The event was initially scheduled for an open space at Selborne Tennis court. However, the cold front which has been wreaking havoc in the province, forced event organisers to opt for an enclosed venue as a replacement, just in case.
Fight promoter Ayanda Matiti of Xaba Promotions and Events (XPE) yesterday confirmed that the event had since been moved to the Orient Theatre on the same day.
The tournament is the third edition of the annual Mandela boxing tournament, celebrating the birthday of the former president, with boxers from abroad taking on local opponents.
In the main bout, Mdantsane’s Makazole Tete will vie for the vacant IBF Intercontinental junior bantamweight crown against Filipino Raymond Tabugon.
Newly-crowned SA junior lightweight champion Aphiwe Mboyiya will battle it out for the vacant IBF Youth title against another Filipino, Jerry Castroverde.
Athenkosi Dumezweni will fight Namibian Abmerk Shidjuu for the vacant WBO Africa junior bantamweight title.
In a South African WBA Africa and IBO Intercontinental mini flyweight local derby, Mdantsane’s Daluxolo Mancotywa takes on Mthatha-born Siphamandla Baleni.
SABC has already committed to televising the event live, and there were concerns that bad weather could disrupt the tournament.
Local boxing fans have also been expressing concern about expected cold weather on Friday night as temperature levels continue to drop.
Matiti said: “We were worried about this weather because what is paramount to us is that fight fans enjoy the show in a comfortable environment while the boxers entertain.”
The XPE boss said he was pleased that he had managed to secure an enclosed venue on time since he did not want to inconvenience fans.
“We had plenty options but finally managed to secure Orient, which is a seasoned venue for massive boxing events and boxing fans are accustomed to it.”
The Mdantsane Indoor Centre, which is a fraction smaller than Selborne Park, was also considered but due to its size Matiti decided against it. They were also at one stage considering Christian Church in Wilsonia as an alternative venue.
Matiti promised that the event would be a thriller, especially since it celebrates a luminary of Madiba’s stature.
Several prominent individuals within the sporting fraternity – and outside – are expected to attend.
Among them are Sport and Recreation Minister Fikile Mbalula and his provincial counterpart, Pemmy Majodina, Minister of Home Affairs Malusi Gigaba and the former praise singer of both former presidents Mandela and Thabo Mbeki, Zolani Mkiva.
Besides the boxing, spectators will also be entertained by several artists, local and national, including the popular Naak Music, otherwise known as MJ, which was his moniker in his role on SABC soapie Generations.
In non-title fights, Simphiwe Lusizi will battle it out against Vincent Mulaudzi in the middleweight division over six rounds, while Mlamli Matyumza and Mbulelo Dyani will brawl it out in a Mdantsane versus Duncan Village rivalry.
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