Retired boxers who ‘sneak’ out of the country to go fight and lose in Tanzania is a major cause for concern to Boxing South Africa (BSA).
This was what acting BSA chief executive officer Mandla Ntlanganiso said after former world champion Nkosinathi ‘Mabhere’ Joyi fought and lost to Abeid Zugo whose real name is Abeid Kessy Kasongo in Tanzania last weekend.
Joyi, a former International Boxing Organisation (IBO) and International Boxing Federation (IBF) minimumweight champion, was the second retired South African boxer to fight in Tanzania in less than six months.
Erstwhile World Boxing Association (WBA) and IBO featherweight titlist Simphiwe ‘V12’ Vetyeka also fought and lost to Zugo in December last year. Vetyeka was a licensed BSA trainer at the time.
“We contacted the Tanzanian Commission regarding this issue, especially after Vetyeka fought there in December. We spoke to George Silasi, the general-secretary of the Tanzanian Commission and he distanced himself from the fight,” Ntlanganiso said.
Ntlanganiso added that it’s easier to control registered boxers as they apply through BSA in order for them to get clearances before they leave the country.
“All registered boxers that seek to fight outside South Africa get approval from Boxing South Africa. Unlicensed boxers are difficult to control. We are unable to stop them even though we are totally against what they are doing,” Ntlanganiso remarked.
“Boxing is a dangerous sport and it needs one to be fit. And you could see that Joyi was unfit during his fight. We discourage what they are doing because they are risking their lives.” – Monwabisi Jimlongo
