The general feeling at yesterday’s premedical cum press conference held at Mdantsane Fitness Joint was that Friday’s boxing tournament would serve as the real launch of SABC-TV’s return to broadcasting boxing.
This is even though the public broadcaster had already marked its return to the small screen when it aired the BRD Promotions show at Birchwood in Boksburg on June 26.
However, last month’s development tournament will be nothing like what is expected when SABC-TV returns to the province for the first time since 2011 airing a blockbuster show which has several storylines.
First the show by Xaba Promotions (XP) at International Convention Centre will celebrate the birthday of the late struggle icon Nelson Mandela through his favourite sport.
The historic event was launched last year with relative success, especially with the cost of dining tables – many of which were not sold.
Having reviewed the arrangement and patched the pitfalls, XP is now ready to provide the most memorable show befitting of Mandela’s stature.
Attended by top government officials including former Orlando Pirates spokesman Mickey Modisane – who now heads the sports ministry’s communications department – Eastern Cape senior manager Bafundi Makhubalo, Buffalo City mayor Alfred Mtsi, SABC’s Tebogo Cicero and Ruby Kandier, the occasion was more than a boxing event.
The fighters set out to prove that they will be ready for their fights with veteran Ali Funeka looking in great shape ahead of his IBO welterweight title defence against Limpopo’s Tsiko Mulovhedzi.
Funeka appeared ready for the fight scaling 67.4kg ahead of Thursday’s final weigh-in which will be held at NU4 Mdantsane’s Sinethemba High School, which will be renovated in line with the 67 minutes of making a contribution to the community in honour of Mandela.
“Tsiko has been calling out my name after beating two Eastern Cape boxers. Now I am granting him his wish,” said Funeka.
Mulovhedzi, who knocked out both Grahamstown’s Mziwoxolo Ndwayana and Funeka’s victim Mzolisi Yoyo in five and six rounds respectively, was a kilogram heavier with a 68.4kg weight. “Now I will finally become a world champion,” he said.
Another clash will see former IBO junior-bantamweight champion Gideon Buthelezi attempting to regain his crown against current holder Lwandile Sityatha.
There will be a pair of SA title fights as well as other exciting six-round bouts featuring the likes of Xolani Mcotheli, Mfusi Maxhayi, and others.
Fight blockbuster set to light up city
This is even though the public broadcaster had already marked its return to the small screen when it aired the BRD Promotions show at Birchwood in Boksburg on June 26.
However, last month’s development tournament will be nothing like what is expected when SABC-TV returns to the province for the first time since 2011 airing a blockbuster show which has several storylines.
First the show by Xaba Promotions (XP) at International Convention Centre will celebrate the birthday of the late struggle icon Nelson Mandela through his favourite sport.
The historic event was launched last year with relative success, especially with the cost of dining tables – many of which were not sold.
Having reviewed the arrangement and patched the pitfalls, XP is now ready to provide the most memorable show befitting of Mandela’s stature.
Attended by top government officials including former Orlando Pirates spokesman Mickey Modisane – who now heads the sports ministry’s communications department – Eastern Cape senior manager Bafundi Makhubalo, Buffalo City mayor Alfred Mtsi, SABC’s Tebogo Cicero and Ruby Kandier, the occasion was more than a boxing event.
The fighters set out to prove that they will be ready for their fights with veteran Ali Funeka looking in great shape ahead of his IBO welterweight title defence against Limpopo’s Tsiko Mulovhedzi.
Funeka appeared ready for the fight scaling 67.4kg ahead of Thursday’s final weigh-in which will be held at NU4 Mdantsane’s Sinethemba High School, which will be renovated in line with the 67 minutes of making a contribution to the community in honour of Mandela.
“Tsiko has been calling out my name after beating two Eastern Cape boxers. Now I am granting him his wish,” said Funeka.
Mulovhedzi, who knocked out both Grahamstown’s Mziwoxolo Ndwayana and Funeka’s victim Mzolisi Yoyo in five and six rounds respectively, was a kilogram heavier with a 68.4kg weight. “Now I will finally become a world champion,” he said.
Another clash will see former IBO junior-bantamweight champion Gideon Buthelezi attempting to regain his crown against current holder Lwandile Sityatha.
There will be a pair of SA title fights as well as other exciting six-round bouts featuring the likes of Xolani Mcotheli, Mfusi Maxhayi, and others.
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