By Monwabisi Jimlongo
TK Boxing Promotions boss Tshele Kometsi has dismissed rumours that his promotional company staged a tournament without the presence of ringside physicians.
A voice note in Ink Sport’s possession suggests that last weekend’s tournament in Mohlakeng, Randfontein, in Gauteng’s West Rand, went ahead without medical practitioners – a clear violation of the rules and regulations of boxing.
Article 24 (1) stipulates that at every tournament a medical practitioner shall be appointed by the promoter and be approved by Boxing South Africa (BSA). It further says that a ringside physician must be accredited by BSA and he or she shall at all times during a tournament sit close to the ring in such a manner that his or her access to the ring is unhindered. And no bout shall proceed unless the ringside physician is in his or her position as contemplated.
This is the same tournament where Xolani Mcotheli controversially lost his South African junior-welterweight title to Prince Dlomo. Initially, Mcotheli was announced as the winner only to be told that he had lost the fight.
“It’s nonsense. Yes, the tournament started an hour late because we were waiting for the doctors. BSA would never start a tournament before the doctors arrive. I want to clarify that whoever says boxing started before physicians were there is talking nonsense. I had two physicians – Dr Mike Mbuya and the other doctor who was dispatched by Dr Tshabalala,” Kometsi, who chairs the Gauteng Boxing Promoters Association (GBPA), said.
Dr Mike Mbuya confirmed that he was one of the ringside physicians even though he arrived a little bit late at the tournament venue.
“Yes, I was there. It was raining in the area that’s one of the reasons I arrived late,” Mbuya said. Acting Gauteng BSA provincial manager Lehlohonolo Ramagole said: “We have evidence that doctors were present.”
