Eastern Cape boxers Thulani Mbenge and Mziwoxolo Ndwayana, the current South African welterweight champion, sympathise with all the boxers, who didn’t get action following the cancellation of their fights.
At least, three tournaments were cancelled because of the COVID-19
pandemic with the fourth one being cancelled due to a promoter’s
problems. The cancellation of tournaments has resulted in boxers being
without action.
Things started to go bad for boxers when Rumble Africa Promotions
(RAP) called off its tournament, which was scheduled for the Orient
Theatre in East London on Sunday, 5 December. This followed after the
Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality (BCMM) closed down all its
libraries and municipal halls because of COVID-19.
A few days later, Xaba Promotions postponed its tournament, which was
set for the East London International Convention Centre on Saturday,
12 December, citing coronavirus concerns.
The third tournament, which got postponed because of the COVID-19
pandemic was going to be promoted by Tshele Kometsi’s TK Promotions
and was scheduled for the Greenhills Stadium in Randfontein on Sunday,
13 December.
International Boxing Federation (IBF) flyweight champion Moruti
Mthalane’s fight against Filipino boxer Jayson Mama was also cancelled
because of problems with promoter Nokwanda Mbatha of Tono Boxing
Promotions.
‘‘I’m really grateful that TLB believe in my brand. I’m sorry for the
other boxers whose fights were cancelled. It pains me whenever I hear
that tournaments have been postponed or cancelled,’’ Mbenge said.
Meanwhile, Ndwayana echoed the same sentiments as the former South
African and International Boxing Organisation (IBO) welterweight
champion.
‘‘I believe that I speak on behalf of other boxers. Boxing is
business, we give up a lot preparing for fights. The corona virus has
messed up a lot of things. It’s painful to see tournaments being
cancelled. I’m thankful that I’m going to fight. Truth be told, I was
worried that our fight was going to be cancelled just like the other
fights,’’ said Ndwayana.
