After uncertainty clouded the Xaba Promotions and Events (XPE) tournament scheduled for Mdantsane Indoor Centre, the organisers have resolved to go ahead with the show at the venue this evening.
The show’s continuation was plunged into uncertainty after Boxing SA belatedly disqualified Abongile Tipa as the challenger for the SA mini-flyweight crown held by Daluxolo Mangcotywa.
The fight was scheduled to top the self-funded show but BSA pulled the plug on the main bout arguing that with three fights, one loss and a draw, Tipa was not eligible to contest for the SA title.
BSA chairwoman Ntambi Ravele reportedly dilly-dallied on taking a decision until very late on Wednesday when she endorsed the sanctions and approvals committee’s decision to disqualify Tipa.
However, yesterday organisers went ahead with a revised tournament by holding a weigh-in at the Fitness Joint.
Mangcotywa and Tipa will now reportedly clash in a non-title bout.
The disapproval of Mangcotywa’s title fight is just the latest in the controversy involving him and national titles.
His title-winning fight against Lonwabo Roboshi was also mired in dispute when it was belatedly given the green light at the expense of Mthatha’s Siphamandla Baleni, who initially had been earmarked to contest for the vacant crown relinquished by his stablemate Simpiwe Konkco.
Baleni was finally shoved aside in favour of Mangcotywa and Roboshi with the Mdantsane southpaw winning the title with a seventh-round stoppage.
Baleni has since denounced the national title in line with other boxers promoted by Sijuta Promotions.
XPE boss Ayanda Matiti allayed fears that the status of the tournament would be diminished by the downgrading of the main bout.
SA junior featherweight title contender Bonakele Bhikitsha will take on Simpiwe Ntsangani over 10 rounds.
Bhikitsha, who seems to have received new life, was initially scheduled to challenge Bongani Mahlangu for the SA title in the original programme.
However, Mahlangu was reportedly forced to withdraw due to an injury.
The rest of the bouts scheduled for the tournament will be contested as previously planned.
Big show set to go ahead in Mdantsane
The show’s continuation was plunged into uncertainty after Boxing SA belatedly disqualified Abongile Tipa as the challenger for the SA mini-flyweight crown held by Daluxolo Mangcotywa.
The fight was scheduled to top the self-funded show but BSA pulled the plug on the main bout arguing that with three fights, one loss and a draw, Tipa was not eligible to contest for the SA title.
BSA chairwoman Ntambi Ravele reportedly dilly-dallied on taking a decision until very late on Wednesday when she endorsed the sanctions and approvals committee’s decision to disqualify Tipa.
However, yesterday organisers went ahead with a revised tournament by holding a weigh-in at the Fitness Joint.
Mangcotywa and Tipa will now reportedly clash in a non-title bout.
The disapproval of Mangcotywa’s title fight is just the latest in the controversy involving him and national titles.
His title-winning fight against Lonwabo Roboshi was also mired in dispute when it was belatedly given the green light at the expense of Mthatha’s Siphamandla Baleni, who initially had been earmarked to contest for the vacant crown relinquished by his stablemate Simpiwe Konkco.
Baleni was finally shoved aside in favour of Mangcotywa and Roboshi with the Mdantsane southpaw winning the title with a seventh-round stoppage.
Baleni has since denounced the national title in line with other boxers promoted by Sijuta Promotions.
XPE boss Ayanda Matiti allayed fears that the status of the tournament would be diminished by the downgrading of the main bout.
SA junior featherweight title contender Bonakele Bhikitsha will take on Simpiwe Ntsangani over 10 rounds.
Bhikitsha, who seems to have received new life, was initially scheduled to challenge Bongani Mahlangu for the SA title in the original programme.
However, Mahlangu was reportedly forced to withdraw due to an injury.
The rest of the bouts scheduled for the tournament will be contested as previously planned.
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