A MINI commotion erupted at Mdantsane Hotel yesterday when Boxing SA-Eastern Cape manager Phakamile Jacobs refused to use the scale supplied by promoter Mzi Mnguni to conduct the premedical of his Sunday’s tournament.
The broken-down scale was to weigh boxers Ali Funeka and Lwandisa Zinto who will both fight for SA titles in the junior-welterweight and featherweight division respectively.
But Jacobs insisted that the BSA-approved scale which had been locked into the regulatory body’s Eastern Cape office be brought to weigh the boxers.
The office, also housed at the hotel owned by Mzi, was locked by his son Mkhuseli over outstanding rental owed by Jacobs while Mzi was recovering from a massive stroke.
Since then promoters with upcoming tournaments have been using the scale of the Mdantsane Fitness Joint at NU6 mall as well as the venue to conduct weigh-ins and premedicals.
Interestingly Mzi was absent at the premedical even though he had earlier confirmed that he would attend.
Jacobs ordered Mnguni’s matchmaker Luyanda Kana to inform his boss that unless the scale locked up in BSA office is retrieved, he would have to move the premedical to the Fitness Joint. Kana made a quick call but that did not help matters as the premedical was finally moved to the Fitness Joint.
“They must come and open the office so that I could retrieve the scale and conduct the premedical,” charged Jacobs.
Although the premedical was finally saved, it still remains to be seen if the final weigh-in on Saturday will be held at the gymnasium in the mall.
Mnguni, who could not be reached on the phone, has been using his hotel for boxing events in order to market it.
The saga over the money owed by BSA for the office rental has been a bone of contention for a while with BSA chairwoman Ntambi Ravele refusing to intervene, insisting that Jacobs should sort it out himself.
This is despite the fact the provincial office is the extension of SSA’s administration as it serves to handle tournaments and generate revenue for the regulatory body.
“Imagine if Daily Dispatch were to refuse to pay rent for its Mthatha office and insists that reporters based there must pay it themselves,” one promoter said.
However, the premedical continued without a glitch with Funeka’s 64.40kg weight falling within the limit for his SA junior-welterweight title defence against Johannesburg’s Boitshepo Mandawe who underwent his own examination in Gauteng.
Zinto, who will contest the vacant SA featherweight crown against veteran Oscar Chauke, was also within the limit as he weighed 58.90kg.
Former SA junior-bantamweight champion Thembelani Maphuma and Athenkosi Dumezweni will contest for the provincial crown.
Maphuma was 53.70kg while Dumezweni was weighed in Mthatha.
War of words at weigh-in
The broken-down scale was to weigh boxers Ali Funeka and Lwandisa Zinto who will both fight for SA titles in the junior-welterweight and featherweight division respectively.
But Jacobs insisted that the BSA-approved scale which had been locked into the regulatory body’s Eastern Cape office be brought to weigh the boxers.
The office, also housed at the hotel owned by Mzi, was locked by his son Mkhuseli over outstanding rental owed by Jacobs while Mzi was recovering from a massive stroke.
Since then promoters with upcoming tournaments have been using the scale of the Mdantsane Fitness Joint at NU6 mall as well as the venue to conduct weigh-ins and premedicals.
Interestingly Mzi was absent at the premedical even though he had earlier confirmed that he would attend.
Jacobs ordered Mnguni’s matchmaker Luyanda Kana to inform his boss that unless the scale locked up in BSA office is retrieved, he would have to move the premedical to the Fitness Joint. Kana made a quick call but that did not help matters as the premedical was finally moved to the Fitness Joint.
“They must come and open the office so that I could retrieve the scale and conduct the premedical,” charged Jacobs.
Although the premedical was finally saved, it still remains to be seen if the final weigh-in on Saturday will be held at the gymnasium in the mall.
Mnguni, who could not be reached on the phone, has been using his hotel for boxing events in order to market it.
The saga over the money owed by BSA for the office rental has been a bone of contention for a while with BSA chairwoman Ntambi Ravele refusing to intervene, insisting that Jacobs should sort it out himself.
This is despite the fact the provincial office is the extension of SSA’s administration as it serves to handle tournaments and generate revenue for the regulatory body.
“Imagine if Daily Dispatch were to refuse to pay rent for its Mthatha office and insists that reporters based there must pay it themselves,” one promoter said.
However, the premedical continued without a glitch with Funeka’s 64.40kg weight falling within the limit for his SA junior-welterweight title defence against Johannesburg’s Boitshepo Mandawe who underwent his own examination in Gauteng.
Zinto, who will contest the vacant SA featherweight crown against veteran Oscar Chauke, was also within the limit as he weighed 58.90kg.
Former SA junior-bantamweight champion Thembelani Maphuma and Athenkosi Dumezweni will contest for the provincial crown.
Maphuma was 53.70kg while Dumezweni was weighed in Mthatha.
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