By Monwabisi Jimlongo
Phila Mpontshane’s manager Andy Mtshotshisa has refused to back down and apologise to TK Boxing Promotions boss Tshele Kometsi and the Gauteng Boxing Promoters Association (GBPA) for what they alleged are defamatory statements.
This follows after Kometsi wrote to Boxing South Africa (BSA) director of operations Mandla Ntlanganiso setting down conditions they wanted to be met before considering paying South African junior-lightweight champion Mpontshane 10 percent of the purse they agreed on for his cancelled fight against Sibusiso Zingange in December.
The clash was cancelled two days before its actual date after 31-year-old Mpontshane and his trainer Dudu Bungu tested positive for COVID-19.
Soon after the cancellation of the fight, Mtshotshisa revealed that they were treated badly and were even booked in sub-standard accommodation.
In the letter sent to BSA last week, Kometsi said that both Mpontshane and Mtshotshisa must apologise through the media before their demand of a 10 percent could be entertained.
“Apologies must be through media houses and social media. Remove any defamatory or derogatory statements made by them about the two above mentioned institutions on all social media pages,” Kometsi said in the letter.
It looks like Kometsi took umbrage after Mtshotshisa’s revelations about the kind of accommodation they were booked in.
“Be honest about where they were booked as that is not a brothel. Should either one of them choose not to apologise as an individual there will be no relief paid,” Kometsi further said in the letter.
Mtshotshisa hit back saying: “I deem these terms as like we are being forced to apologise under duress. We are not going to do that because whatever we said was the truth.”
When contacted for comment, Ntlanganiso said: “The matter is receiving attention and will be resolved by all parties concerned tommorrow (Tuesday).”
Kometsi referred Ink Sport to Ntlanganiso when he was contacted for a comment on Monday afternoon.
Meanwhile, Mpontshane is busy at the gym preparing for his fight against Zingange, which is going to be his fifth defence of the national crown.
This shootout between Mpontshane and Zingange is going to be held at the EFC Centre in Johannesburg, on Thursday, 24 February.
