By Monwabisi Jimlongo
The impasse between the National Professional Boxing Promoters Association (NPBPA) and Minister of Sport, Zizi Kodwa, has left KwaZulu-Natal promoter Nomvelo Magcaba-Shezi with a broken heart as she’s unable to promote Thabiso Mchunu’s fight against Argentine boxer Yamil Alberto Peralta Jara.
The NPBPA succeeded in interdicting the installation of the new Boxing South Africa (BSA) board, which is made up of Sifiso Shongwe, Luxolo September, Sakhiwe Sodo, Romy Titus, Princess Mangoma, Nande Mheshe and Dr Mary-Gene Manthata-Setati. And since then no tournaments have been held this year.
The 35-year-old Mchunu, who has not fought since he lost to former WBC cruiserweight titlist Ilunga Makabu Junior from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) just over two years ago, is, according to Magcaba-Shezi, scheduled to face Peralta in a World Boxing Council (WBC) Silver cruiserweight title contest on Saturday, 02 March.
“What is happening now is not right. That we can’t promote tournaments is really hurting me. Our boxers are unemployed and they make money through getting fights. I’m working very hard to make sure that Thabiso’s fight takes place. He has to fight because he has not fought in more than two years. It’s bad for someone like him not to fight this long. I’m organising a WBC Silver title fight for him,” the 2023 Aspiring Promoter of the Year award winner said.
“The biggest problem we have now is that sponsors are beginning to have doubts about the tournament. They are not even sure whether it will take place or not. The sponsors want the tournament to be advertised. They have told me that they are going to pull out if nothing happens in the next few days. On the other side, boxers are calling me, asking questions about the tournament. What hurts the most is that the Argentines have even approached the WBC asking questions about the tournament. There are doubts everywhere.”
Meanwhile, two-time South African welterweight champion Thulani ‘Evolution’ Mbenge will, according to Magcaba-Shezi, fight against Argentine boxer Leandro Ariel Fonseca in a 10 rounds international bout if the tournament goes ahead.
The 32-year-old Mbenge is yet to fight since he was defeated by Senegal-born Frenchman Souleymane Cissoko in a WBC Silver welterweight title fight in Nantes, France, in December 2022.
“Even Thulani hasn’t fought for some time. He deserves to get into the ring as he is not getting any younger just like Thabiso. I suffered a lot when I was still a boxer. There were times when I had to train only for my fights to get postponed or cancelled. I know the pain of a boxer who goes out to borrow money to prepare for a fight only for the fight to be cancelled. I have been there,” Magcaba-Shezi remarked.
