Alan Matakane’s officiating, especially when he is the judge, tends to raise a few eyebrows but the lanky traffic officer is proving to be one of the best referees in the land.
One of his main attributes he possesses is that he views the fight from the fan’s eye, hence he is able to ensure that he allows the boxers to do what they came into the ring for.
This week Matakane again justified his rapid growing status as the best referee around when he handled the slugfest between Mthatha rivals Zama Zokwe and Siseko Makeleni.
Matakane allowed the two fighters to go at each other and never attempted to be the centre of the beautiful brutality.
Maintaining a good angle and distance, he was able to jump in when necessary.
When Makeleni was floored hard in the sixth and final round he gave him the benefit of the doubt on realising that the bean-pole was still in control of his defensive senses. The end result was an outstanding bout for fans to enjoy.
It is incredible how Matakane has managed to keep his cool despite being at the centre of the ring death of Samorha Msophi after he was knocked out by Mfundo Gwayana in 2008.
Refereeing the fight, Matakane received a lot of flak from fans for allowing the fight to continue when Msophi was taking unnecessary punishment leading to his collapse in the fourth round.
He was then rushed to the Cecilia Makiwane hospital where he later died due to head injuries sustained during the fight.
One would have expected the tragedy to still play in Matakane’s head influencing him to end fights prematurely but he has proven to be made of sterner stuff as he keeps dishing out expert refereeing.
Matakane thus earns Boxing Mecca’s “official of the week” award.
TOP OFFICIAL OF THE WEEK: ALAN MATAKANE
One of his main attributes he possesses is that he views the fight from the fan’s eye, hence he is able to ensure that he allows the boxers to do what they came into the ring for.
This week Matakane again justified his rapid growing status as the best referee around when he handled the slugfest between Mthatha rivals Zama Zokwe and Siseko Makeleni.
Matakane allowed the two fighters to go at each other and never attempted to be the centre of the beautiful brutality.
Maintaining a good angle and distance, he was able to jump in when necessary.
When Makeleni was floored hard in the sixth and final round he gave him the benefit of the doubt on realising that the bean-pole was still in control of his defensive senses. The end result was an outstanding bout for fans to enjoy.
It is incredible how Matakane has managed to keep his cool despite being at the centre of the ring death of Samorha Msophi after he was knocked out by Mfundo Gwayana in 2008.
Refereeing the fight, Matakane received a lot of flak from fans for allowing the fight to continue when Msophi was taking unnecessary punishment leading to his collapse in the fourth round.
He was then rushed to the Cecilia Makiwane hospital where he later died due to head injuries sustained during the fight.
One would have expected the tragedy to still play in Matakane’s head influencing him to end fights prematurely but he has proven to be made of sterner stuff as he keeps dishing out expert refereeing.
Matakane thus earns Boxing Mecca’s “official of the week” award.
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