By Monwabisi Jimlongo
Rumble Africa Promotions (RAP) chairman Teris Ntutu has laughed off accusations levelled against his promotional company by Khanyisa Jekwa, who claimed that RAP tried to sign his boxers behind his back.
Jekwa claimed that RAP through its chief executive officer Nomfesane Nyatela called his boxers – South African mini-flyweight champion Siyakholwa Kuse and featherweight contender Asanda Gingqi – to sign new contracts with them.
He further claimed that the boxers were already at Nyatela’s home when they ‘tipped’ him off about what was about to happen.
“I got a call from Gingqi tell me that he together with Kuse were at the home of Rumble Africa Promotions CEO to sign contracts. I advised them against signing the contracts because I knew nothing about the deals. Their contracts with Rumble Africa Promotions were not renewed when they expired in December. There was no communication with me regarding new contracts,” said Jekwa.
“Our problems started in December when Gingqi was going to fight against Thembani Mbangatha for the SA featherweight title in a Xaba Promotions tournament. There was a Boxing SA agreement on the table regarding the status of the featherweight title. Savvas Savvas had given away promotional rights to Xaba Promotions.”
Both Kuse and Gingqi, who are stablemates at Sisonke Boxing Club in Mdantsane, confirmed that they visited Nyatela’s home to ‘sign’ new contracts.
“I was called there twice to come sign a new contract. I didn’t sign the contract on both occasions because my manager knew nothing about the matter,” Kuse said.
Gingqi said: “I didn’t sign the new contract. My manager is the one who deals with matters like these.”
Meanwhile, Ntutu has explained that his promotional company only wanted to renew Kuse’s contract, not Gingqi’s.
“Those are our old boxers. All we did was to issue out a notice saying that they must come to renew contracts. Kuse came along with Gingqi, but we never invited Gingqi to come sign,” Ntutu said.
“Khanyisa is my friend and he got to know the boxers after I had invited him to one of my tournaments. He was impressed with Kuse and said that he wanted to sponsor him.
“I told him recently that I don’t run after boxers and I don’t poach them. Both Gingqi and Kuse had their professional debuts in my tournament. I think it’s me who should be complaining about Khanyisa.
“There was a problem between us and Gingqi after he appeared in another promotions’ poster without our consent and knowledge while he was still our boxer. Khanyisa explained to us saying that it was a mistake. It happened again and we decided to release Gingqi to go where it’s believed he could be promoted better.”
