As expected Zbashy Promotion tournament that saw the dramatic arrival of previously fight-starved Asandiswa Nxokwana to the big-time boxing stood out from the rest of the four female tournaments bankrolled by Boxing SA.
The show was held at Mdantsane Indoor Centre last weekend, headlined by Nxokwana’s SA featherweight title defence against experienced Unathi Myekeni.
Attended by soapie star Vuyo Dabula, known as Gadaffi in SABC1’s Generations: The Legacy, the show delivered action-packed bouts to thrill the spectators who filled the venue to rafters.
The event was one of the four BSA-funded tournaments with the other one having been held in Port Elizabeth a fortnight ago.
The third one will be organised by Showtime Promotions of Mbali Zantsi in Ekurhuleni this weekend after it was postponed from last Saturday.
It will be topped by an all-East London clash between Sendra Almeida and Nomandithini Ndyambo for the SA welterweight title rematch.
BSA-Eastern Cape manager Phakamile Jacobs lauded Zbashy Promotions for organising the thrilling event.
“We knew that judging by the bouts of the tournament it would be a success,” said Jacobs.
The main bout fizzled out as the five-fight novice Nxokwana gave Myekeni a systematic beating from the first round until the one-sided slaughter was halted in the ninth round with the 23-year-old champion in total control.
The loss has raised questions on whether the 35-year-old Myekeni – a veteran of 14 fights going to the bout – should continue fighting.
The loss was her third in a row but it was the most demoralising one as it marked the first time she suffered a stoppage defeat.
A beaming Zbashy Promotions boss Sibongile Matiti was never in doubt about the success of the tournament.
“We all know that everything I am involved in becomes a success,” she quipped.
“We had so many people coming to the show that some could not find seats.”
Matiti enjoyed a double triumph as her charge Nxokwana delivered the goods after a tense premedical where Myekeni acted like a diva.
“I knew that Nxokwana despite her novice record would overwhelm Unathi because she trained so hard for the fight and I could see that Unathi was overlooking her.”
While all the bouts delivered action, it was the clash between nemesis Siphosethu Nxazonke and Nozwelethu Mathontsi that stole the show.
Fighting for the second time with Mathontsi having an upper hand, Nxazonke went down fighting before the technique of the far more savvy Mathontsi carried her through to a deserving win.
Mathontsi is the reigning SA junior-flyweight champion having also held the flyweight version which she abdicated without a loss.
The fourth female promoter to benefit from BSA funding will be Malinga Promotions in Durban.
Nxokwana win a cherry on the top
The show was held at Mdantsane Indoor Centre last weekend, headlined by Nxokwana’s SA featherweight title defence against experienced Unathi Myekeni.
Attended by soapie star Vuyo Dabula, known as Gadaffi in SABC1’s Generations: The Legacy, the show delivered action-packed bouts to thrill the spectators who filled the venue to rafters.
The event was one of the four BSA-funded tournaments with the other one having been held in Port Elizabeth a fortnight ago.
The third one will be organised by Showtime Promotions of Mbali Zantsi in Ekurhuleni this weekend after it was postponed from last Saturday.
It will be topped by an all-East London clash between Sendra Almeida and Nomandithini Ndyambo for the SA welterweight title rematch.
BSA-Eastern Cape manager Phakamile Jacobs lauded Zbashy Promotions for organising the thrilling event.
“We knew that judging by the bouts of the tournament it would be a success,” said Jacobs.
The main bout fizzled out as the five-fight novice Nxokwana gave Myekeni a systematic beating from the first round until the one-sided slaughter was halted in the ninth round with the 23-year-old champion in total control.
The loss has raised questions on whether the 35-year-old Myekeni – a veteran of 14 fights going to the bout – should continue fighting.
The loss was her third in a row but it was the most demoralising one as it marked the first time she suffered a stoppage defeat.
A beaming Zbashy Promotions boss Sibongile Matiti was never in doubt about the success of the tournament.
“We all know that everything I am involved in becomes a success,” she quipped.
“We had so many people coming to the show that some could not find seats.”
Matiti enjoyed a double triumph as her charge Nxokwana delivered the goods after a tense premedical where Myekeni acted like a diva.
“I knew that Nxokwana despite her novice record would overwhelm Unathi because she trained so hard for the fight and I could see that Unathi was overlooking her.”
While all the bouts delivered action, it was the clash between nemesis Siphosethu Nxazonke and Nozwelethu Mathontsi that stole the show.
Fighting for the second time with Mathontsi having an upper hand, Nxazonke went down fighting before the technique of the far more savvy Mathontsi carried her through to a deserving win.
Mathontsi is the reigning SA junior-flyweight champion having also held the flyweight version which she abdicated without a loss.
The fourth female promoter to benefit from BSA funding will be Malinga Promotions in Durban.
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