East London will yet again be in the spotlight when it hosts the birthday celebration for the late struggle icon Nelson Mandela through boxing.
It will be the second time the event, which is now under Ayanda Matiti’s intellectual property, is held in the land having been launched last July on Mandela’s birthday.
While it was set to draw government officials with the invitation also extended to President Jacob Zuma, it unfortunately turned into a damp squib due to its clash with other events also commemorating Mandela’s Day.
The fact that event was held at the East London International Convention Centre (ICC), which is not adept as a boxing venue, aggravated this.
But now Matiti, who trades under Xaba Promotions (XP), has decided to move it to July 24 in order to make space for everyone to attend.
He is yet to announce if the big event will again be held at the ICC.
Already there are reports that big business have come on board with Nelson Mandela Foundation also partnering him.
However, Matiti is refusing to shed more light insisting that all will be revealed at a press conference set for next week.
“Let’s wait for the presser where everything will be unpacked. Remember, this is not a mere boxing event but a world celebration of one of the greatest sons ever produced.”
While logistics are being worked out, the boxing side of things is already taking shape with at least two world title fights confirmed.
Mdantsane veteran Ali Funeka will headline the event defending his IBO welterweight belt against Limpopo’s Tsiko Mulovhedzi.
Mulovhedzi has been chasing Funeka for a while starting when he first came down to East London to defeat Grahamstown’s Mziwoxolo Ndwayana, coincidentally in a XP tournament.
The lanky rugged Limpopo boxer was back again in the Orient Theatre ring knocking out former SA champion and NU16 Mdantsane hero Mzolisi Yoyo in five rounds to retain his title.
The win proved he was capable of staking his claim to Funeka’s title and now he will finally get an opportunity to back up his claims.
IBO junior-bantamweight champion Lwandile Sityatha will return to the ring to defend his crown against former title-holder Gideon Buthelezi.
Sityatha interestingly won the IBO crown in the launch of the historic event last July when he dethroned Filipino Edrin Dapudong in a fight that subsequently strained relations between Matiti and the Filipino’s manager Manny Pinol.
This after Pinol accused Matiti of refusing to honour the rematch clause of the Philippines fights.
Matiti is understood to be working on other bouts featuring Xolani Mcotheli and possibly Makazole Tete.
He hopes to have a “complete programme” out next week.
Matiti plans grand ring show for Madiba
It will be the second time the event, which is now under Ayanda Matiti’s intellectual property, is held in the land having been launched last July on Mandela’s birthday.
While it was set to draw government officials with the invitation also extended to President Jacob Zuma, it unfortunately turned into a damp squib due to its clash with other events also commemorating Mandela’s Day.
The fact that event was held at the East London International Convention Centre (ICC), which is not adept as a boxing venue, aggravated this.
But now Matiti, who trades under Xaba Promotions (XP), has decided to move it to July 24 in order to make space for everyone to attend.
He is yet to announce if the big event will again be held at the ICC.
Already there are reports that big business have come on board with Nelson Mandela Foundation also partnering him.
However, Matiti is refusing to shed more light insisting that all will be revealed at a press conference set for next week.
“Let’s wait for the presser where everything will be unpacked. Remember, this is not a mere boxing event but a world celebration of one of the greatest sons ever produced.”
While logistics are being worked out, the boxing side of things is already taking shape with at least two world title fights confirmed.
Mdantsane veteran Ali Funeka will headline the event defending his IBO welterweight belt against Limpopo’s Tsiko Mulovhedzi.
Mulovhedzi has been chasing Funeka for a while starting when he first came down to East London to defeat Grahamstown’s Mziwoxolo Ndwayana, coincidentally in a XP tournament.
The lanky rugged Limpopo boxer was back again in the Orient Theatre ring knocking out former SA champion and NU16 Mdantsane hero Mzolisi Yoyo in five rounds to retain his title.
The win proved he was capable of staking his claim to Funeka’s title and now he will finally get an opportunity to back up his claims.
IBO junior-bantamweight champion Lwandile Sityatha will return to the ring to defend his crown against former title-holder Gideon Buthelezi.
Sityatha interestingly won the IBO crown in the launch of the historic event last July when he dethroned Filipino Edrin Dapudong in a fight that subsequently strained relations between Matiti and the Filipino’s manager Manny Pinol.
This after Pinol accused Matiti of refusing to honour the rematch clause of the Philippines fights.
Matiti is understood to be working on other bouts featuring Xolani Mcotheli and possibly Makazole Tete.
He hopes to have a “complete programme” out next week.
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