Fed-up managers, trainers and boxers are going to gather in three provinces this coming weekend in a bid to tackle head on the massive challenges that continue to engulf South African boxing.
SA boxing is facing serious challenges after the National Professional Boxing Promoters Association (NPBPA) interdicted the new BSA board, which was announced by Minister of Sport, Zizi Kodwa, in November last year.
The new board, which was appointed by Kodwa, is made up Sifiso Shongwe, the chairperson, Luxolo September, Sakhiwe Sodo, Romy Titus, Princess Mangoma, Nande Mheshe and Dr Mary-Gene Manthata-Setati.
Managers, trainers and boxers in Gauteng are scheduled to meet at Colin ‘Nomakanjani’ Nathan’s Hotbox Gym in Johannesburg at 11am this coming Saturday.
“The motive for the meeting, essentially, is about the numerous challenges in boxing. The legal impasse between the National Professional Boxing Promoters Association, the Minister and Boxing South Africa, is only one of the issues,” Warren Hulley, who is the meeting organiser in Gauteng, said.
“If recent reports are to be believed, then everything in boxing, at the moment, has been placed on hold in terms of whether it’s business as usual, whether the boxing fraternity has to hold its collective breath to see the outcome of the litigation process or not.”
Hulley added: “Notwithstanding the fact that there are many boxers in South Africa for whom boxing is their livelihood. They are dependent on having fights in order to put food on the table. We have to put things into context. The important aspect of the meeting is that it has an inclusive feature, which has all the licensees, boxers, trainers and managers that will be present.
“I think we require a collective imput from everyone so that when decisions are made, we speak with one voice. It’s really about resolving the burning issues within boxing. The current legal impasse is just one of those issues, not the primary issue.”
Meanwhile, similar meetings are going to be held at SN Boxing Gym, Unit B12, Edgemead Business Park, Southdale Road, Edgemead, Cape Town, at 11am on Saturday and Mdantsane Indoor Sport Centre at 11am on Sunday.
