Eastern Cape boxing promoters who are fighting against the installation of the new board of Boxing South Africa (BSA), which was announced by Minister of Sport, Zizi Kodwa, last month are still trying to garner support.
Ink Sport can reveal that less than 10 promoters in the Eastern Cape are fighting against Kodwa. The promoters are now wooing Rumble Africa Promotions (RAP) Teris Ntutu to join them.
However, their efforts to woo Ntutu have so far failed after the group of promoters couldn’t answer a simple question he asked them.
Ntutu had asked: “Then, was that meaningful process followed in the previous boards?”
Ink Sport has the names of the ring leaders, who are working hard in their efforts to woo other promoters into their camp.
“I had requested them to make me understand the essence of the fight as I’m a promoter as well. I have been reading about the fight, but never understood it. I will then sit down with them,” Ntutu remarked.
Asked about his personal view on the new board announced by Kodwa, Ntutu said: “We need a board that will change and turnaround boxing from what it is at the moment or how it was before, especially at the commercial level, so that the product can get more value. At this point, boxing has no value. There’s no money, we just make tournaments for the fans. Even boxers don’t get much from the sport in terms of money. The fight against the Minister actually makes a mockery of boxing, that’s my view. My main concern is why the installation of this new board is being fought.”
The Eastern Cape Boxing Promoters Association (ECBPA) is led by its chairperson Koko Godlo, deputy chairperson Monica Goci, secretary Sibongile Matiti-Mpofu, deputy secretary Visa Monakali, treasurer Happy Tewo as well as Ntsikelelo Manyisane and Bongani Zulu, who are additional members.
“Colleagues, ndicela siyiyeke lengxoxo (let’s stop this discussion). We have taken a decision and acted on it as the leadership of the association. We are in that decision. Bhele, Gatyeni has told us that he needs to understand the context and thinking of the decision of the association, that’s fine and fair. He has not shared his thinking with us. I have indicated that I will engage him when both our diaries agree here in EL. Let’s close this,” a message circulating among the ECBPA leaders reads.
