By Monwabisi Jimlongo
Boxing in the Eastern Cape is feeling the devastating effects of the
coronavirus as the pandemic has delivered yet another knockout blow to
a tournament, which was going to be held in East London.
Xaba Promotions’ tournament, which was going to take place at the
International Convention Centre (ICC) in East London on Saturday
evening, has been postponed just a few days after Rumble Africa
Promotions (RAP) called off its tournament.
RAP’s tournament was going to be held at the Orient Theatre in East
London last Sunday and was called off after the Buffalo City
Metropolitan Municipality (BCMM) closed down all libraries and
municipal halls because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
”Xaba Promotions wishes to officially announce that the tournament
which was scheduled to take place on the 12th of December is off. The
decision was arrived at with heavy hearts considering the amount of
dedication the athletes and their respective camps have put on
training. Xaba and our broadcasting partner SuperSport agreed to
postpone the tournament to early next year when the second wave has
subsided,” Xaba Promotions said in a statement on Tuesday.
South African junior-flyweight champion Ntlantla Tyirha was set to
defend his title against Nwabisile Cholani in the main bout while
Asanda Gingqi and Toto Helebe were going to tussle for the vacant SA
featherweight crown in the main supporting bout.
Interestingly, Cape Town-based Helebe was also on the RAP bill where
he was scheduled to fight against Lerato Dlamini.
