By BHONGO JACOB
Komani’s boxing drought is set to come to an end this Sunday when World Boxing Organisation (WBO) welterweight champion Ali Funeka defends his international title against Ghanaian Justice Addy at the Thobi Kula Indoor Sport Centre.
Members of the Chris Hani district boxing fraternity gathered at the Department of Sport, Arts and Recreation offices in Komani yesterday to discuss the event during a media briefing.
Funeka promised boxing fans a tournament to remember. “There has been silence on pro boxing in Komani and people know me here. It is the first time that I will bring boxing to my fans in Komani. I am ready for the fight, I am strong. I am number nine in the world rankings in my division. Six rounds are a lot... my opponent will not last until the sixth round.”
He urged local municipalities to help develop the sport in the region before encouraging the young representatives from the Queenstown Boys’ Boxing Club.
“Boxing was nearly dead in Komani and we do not want that to happen. There are many boxers who quit because of inactivity and a lack of support. Promoters should ensure we get more tournaments in Komani. Young people – sport builds you as a person, it will take you out of trouble and you will not have time for drugs because you are always at the gym.”
Funeka has 46 fights, with 30 knockouts, five defeats and one draw, under his belt.
He said Komani would give him an added home advantage. “I have family here, my children live here.”
In total, nine bouts are scheduled for the event with Balimo Weliya set to battle it out with Lee Dyer in a South African super-middleweight title fight.
Weliya said he was delighted to be in Komani after his last fight in the town in 2009.
“This is my second title fight in Komani. I fought here when I challenged for the Eastern Cape championships and that gave me a chance to fight for the SA championships. I promise people that we will put on a good show. They will not be disappointed.”
Xolani Jamani from X-Promotions said the fights were the result of a joint effort between the company and Max Mabuti of Sakhisizwe Boxing Promotions.
“I am from Whittlesea, I started my boxing career there but then left for East London where I became a promoter. There has always been an outcry that we do not bring big professional tournaments to Komani and now we have made a promise to revive boxing.”
Mabuti said they would try and bring more professional tournaments to Komani in the future.
“This is the first step of reviving boxing in Komani. We are bringing the cream of boxing here this weekend and each year we would like to have at least two or three big boxing tournaments. Komani is rich in boxing history and now that there are international fights, we believe boxing will come back to this town.”
The news were welcomed by Chris Hani Amateur Boxing Organisation (Chabo) secretary Mabhuti Mapeyi.
“This is pure joy for local boxing fans. In 2013 I asked Funeka to be a motivational speaker during a tournament which we had for amateur boxers and the boys were inspired. We now have six amateur national champions who hail from the Chris Hani district.”
Funeka fired up to walk the talk
Komani’s boxing drought is set to come to an end this Sunday when World Boxing Organisation (WBO) welterweight champion Ali Funeka defends his international title against Ghanaian Justice Addy at the Thobi Kula Indoor Sport Centre.
Members of the Chris Hani district boxing fraternity gathered at the Department of Sport, Arts and Recreation offices in Komani yesterday to discuss the event during a media briefing.
Funeka promised boxing fans a tournament to remember. “There has been silence on pro boxing in Komani and people know me here. It is the first time that I will bring boxing to my fans in Komani. I am ready for the fight, I am strong. I am number nine in the world rankings in my division. Six rounds are a lot... my opponent will not last until the sixth round.”
He urged local municipalities to help develop the sport in the region before encouraging the young representatives from the Queenstown Boys’ Boxing Club.
“Boxing was nearly dead in Komani and we do not want that to happen. There are many boxers who quit because of inactivity and a lack of support. Promoters should ensure we get more tournaments in Komani. Young people – sport builds you as a person, it will take you out of trouble and you will not have time for drugs because you are always at the gym.”
Funeka has 46 fights, with 30 knockouts, five defeats and one draw, under his belt.
He said Komani would give him an added home advantage. “I have family here, my children live here.”
In total, nine bouts are scheduled for the event with Balimo Weliya set to battle it out with Lee Dyer in a South African super-middleweight title fight.
Weliya said he was delighted to be in Komani after his last fight in the town in 2009.
“This is my second title fight in Komani. I fought here when I challenged for the Eastern Cape championships and that gave me a chance to fight for the SA championships. I promise people that we will put on a good show. They will not be disappointed.”
Xolani Jamani from X-Promotions said the fights were the result of a joint effort between the company and Max Mabuti of Sakhisizwe Boxing Promotions.
“I am from Whittlesea, I started my boxing career there but then left for East London where I became a promoter. There has always been an outcry that we do not bring big professional tournaments to Komani and now we have made a promise to revive boxing.”
Mabuti said they would try and bring more professional tournaments to Komani in the future.
“This is the first step of reviving boxing in Komani. We are bringing the cream of boxing here this weekend and each year we would like to have at least two or three big boxing tournaments. Komani is rich in boxing history and now that there are international fights, we believe boxing will come back to this town.”
The news were welcomed by Chris Hani Amateur Boxing Organisation (Chabo) secretary Mabhuti Mapeyi.
“This is pure joy for local boxing fans. In 2013 I asked Funeka to be a motivational speaker during a tournament which we had for amateur boxers and the boys were inspired. We now have six amateur national champions who hail from the Chris Hani district.”
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