Boost for EL as major event changes venue

The blockbuster tournament that was scheduled to be held in Port Elizabeth on December 18 has been moved to East London.

This was confirmed by Xaba Promotions and Events boss Ayanda Matiti who will present the event in conjunction with Last Born Promotions.

Matiti joined Last Born Promotions to organise the event when it was initially scheduled to be held in Port Elizabeth as per the national Department of Sports and Recreation which bankrolling it.

But organisers battled to find a venue in Port Elizabeth with the preferred Nangoza Jebe Hall reportedly fully booked up to January.

And since the government funding has since been delayed, there was really no reason to take the big tournament to Port Elizabeth.

All the boxers who will compete there are from East London.

“Yes we can confirm that the tournament will be held in East London and the moment we are busy looking for an adequate venue,” Matiti said.

The main event will see Makazole Tete vying for the vacant IBO junior bantamweight belt against Gideon Buthelezi.

The title has just been relinquished by Lwandile Sityatha due to weight problems. Sityatha will also feature on the undercard in the tournament fighting for the WBO International bantamweight crown against Filipino Ernesto Saulong.

Makazole’s brother Zolani, who owns Last Born Promotions, will make an appearance when he bids for the WBO Africa junior bantamweight crown against Filipino Jether Oliva, who will be making his second trip to South Africa after dropping a debatable decision to IBO flyweight champion Moruti Mthalane a while back.

One of Zolani’s three losses was suffered at the hands of Mthalane when the left-handed NU12 Mdantsane boxer was still developing as a fighter.

Other bouts include Ali Funeka, Aphiwe Mboyiya and an eagerly anticipated lightweight clash between veteran Mzonke Fana and Xolani Mcotheli for the WBO Africa interim lightweight belt.

Besides featuring a historic six continental and world title fights, the event will be the first time the Tete brothers feature in one bout fighting

for titles.

The show is already enjoying massive coverage in the US with Ring magazine dedicating considerable space to it in its online version.

There is also a strong possibility of the appearance of former world champion Nkosinathi Joyi against Sibusiso Twani.

However Thabo Sonjica, who has just been convicted of rape, will no longer be part of the show as the issue is still at the hands of Boxing SA and the WBC.