The raging political battle between two provincial ANC heavyweights Terris Ntuthu and Ayanda Matiti has spilt over into the boxing ring and is threatening to rob boxing fans of an eagerly-anticipated clash between Moruti Mthalane and Makazole Tete.
This after Ntuthu, who is the ANC Amathole regional chairman, moved in to sign the KwaZulu-Natal-born Mthalane thus scuppering plans for him to defend his IBO flyweight crown against Tete.
Tete is under the guidance of Matiti, a former provincial ANC Youth League chairman, who is at loggerheads with Ntuthu because of political differences.
Sources allege that Ntuthu has received financial backing to neutralise Matiti’s success in boxing after attempts to marginalise him in politics seemed to be ineffective.
Matiti confirmed that he was aware that there were forces within the political spectrum that were displeased with his boxing success.
“ I know what is going on but I do not want to dignify it by dwelling too much on it,” he said.
“But I know the moves to neutralise me in boxing but this is my terrain and no one will beat me here not that politics are not.”
Ntuthu refused to comment about his political differences with Matiti, saying he had signed Mthalane after a lengthy debate with his trainer Nick Durandt.
Mthalane had been scheduled to defend against Tete and the Daily Dispatch can even reveal that the two were called into a meeting by KZN government to iron out the details of the fight.
KZN government which has strong ties with its Eastern Cape counterpart, has been financially backing Mthalane after the boxer was subjected to long spells of inactivity leading to him to vacate his more prestigious IBF title.
Based in Johannesburg under Durandt, Mthalane fought his last two bouts in Durban promoted by KZN promoter Thulani Magudulela.
Magudulela, who could not be reached for comment, had earlier told the Dispatch that KZN government would only be willing to fund Mthalane’s next bout if it was against Tete.
“But I sense reluctance on the part of Durandt to let the fight happen,” Magudulela then said.
There were moves for Mthalane to cut ties with Durandt to pave the way for the fight to happen but the sudden appearance of Ntuthu has swung the pendulum in favour of Durandt.
Tete has been itching for a showdown with Mthalane to avenge the defeat of his younger brother Zolani, who has since become the IBF junior-bantamweight champion. Although the trio shared the stable under Durandt in Johannesburg, the Tete brothers have since returned home in Mdantsane under the management of Mla Tengimfene.
Tengimfene confirmed that the fight had been requested by Makazole.
“I can tell you that we all want the fight but I am not sure if it will still go ahead due to the differences between Matiti and Ntuthu,” he said.
However, Tengimfene revealed that Ntuthu has already sent them a message asking them if Makazole was still interested to fight Mthalane.
“I replied that we want the fight and nothing has been forthcoming since then.”
The Dispatch can reveal that Ntuthu also offered Nkosinathi Joyi the chance to move up a division and challenge Mthalane.
This after Joyi’s proposed IBO junior-flyweight title rematch against Filipino Rey Loreto scheduled for next Saturday was pushed back to March 22 owing to the Filipino’s injury he suffered in training. But Joyi’s promoter Siphatho Handi turned down the fight opting to pursue the rematch against Loreto.
Should the fight between Mthalane and Tete come to fruition the stumbling block is expected to be over promotional rights between Matiti and Ntuthu.
Nthuthu trades under Rumble Africa Promotions and by acquiring the signature of a champion he has a right to dictate terms to Matiti.
Matiti had entered into an agreement with Magudulela to do a joint promotion with his Xaba Promotions involved if the fight was to be held in Durban.
Politics may floor Tete bout
This after Ntuthu, who is the ANC Amathole regional chairman, moved in to sign the KwaZulu-Natal-born Mthalane thus scuppering plans for him to defend his IBO flyweight crown against Tete.
Tete is under the guidance of Matiti, a former provincial ANC Youth League chairman, who is at loggerheads with Ntuthu because of political differences.
Sources allege that Ntuthu has received financial backing to neutralise Matiti’s success in boxing after attempts to marginalise him in politics seemed to be ineffective.
Matiti confirmed that he was aware that there were forces within the political spectrum that were displeased with his boxing success.
“ I know what is going on but I do not want to dignify it by dwelling too much on it,” he said.
“But I know the moves to neutralise me in boxing but this is my terrain and no one will beat me here not that politics are not.”
Ntuthu refused to comment about his political differences with Matiti, saying he had signed Mthalane after a lengthy debate with his trainer Nick Durandt.
Mthalane had been scheduled to defend against Tete and the Daily Dispatch can even reveal that the two were called into a meeting by KZN government to iron out the details of the fight.
KZN government which has strong ties with its Eastern Cape counterpart, has been financially backing Mthalane after the boxer was subjected to long spells of inactivity leading to him to vacate his more prestigious IBF title.
Based in Johannesburg under Durandt, Mthalane fought his last two bouts in Durban promoted by KZN promoter Thulani Magudulela.
Magudulela, who could not be reached for comment, had earlier told the Dispatch that KZN government would only be willing to fund Mthalane’s next bout if it was against Tete.
“But I sense reluctance on the part of Durandt to let the fight happen,” Magudulela then said.
There were moves for Mthalane to cut ties with Durandt to pave the way for the fight to happen but the sudden appearance of Ntuthu has swung the pendulum in favour of Durandt.
Tete has been itching for a showdown with Mthalane to avenge the defeat of his younger brother Zolani, who has since become the IBF junior-bantamweight champion. Although the trio shared the stable under Durandt in Johannesburg, the Tete brothers have since returned home in Mdantsane under the management of Mla Tengimfene.
Tengimfene confirmed that the fight had been requested by Makazole.
“I can tell you that we all want the fight but I am not sure if it will still go ahead due to the differences between Matiti and Ntuthu,” he said.
However, Tengimfene revealed that Ntuthu has already sent them a message asking them if Makazole was still interested to fight Mthalane.
“I replied that we want the fight and nothing has been forthcoming since then.”
The Dispatch can reveal that Ntuthu also offered Nkosinathi Joyi the chance to move up a division and challenge Mthalane.
This after Joyi’s proposed IBO junior-flyweight title rematch against Filipino Rey Loreto scheduled for next Saturday was pushed back to March 22 owing to the Filipino’s injury he suffered in training. But Joyi’s promoter Siphatho Handi turned down the fight opting to pursue the rematch against Loreto.
Should the fight between Mthalane and Tete come to fruition the stumbling block is expected to be over promotional rights between Matiti and Ntuthu.
Nthuthu trades under Rumble Africa Promotions and by acquiring the signature of a champion he has a right to dictate terms to Matiti.
Matiti had entered into an agreement with Magudulela to do a joint promotion with his Xaba Promotions involved if the fight was to be held in Durban.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending Now
Latest Videos