BOXING FANS were in for a treat this weekend when 22 bouts took centre stage in the Chris Hani District elite boxing tournament at the Thobi Kula Indoor Sport centre on Saturday.
Chris Hani Amateur Boxing Organisation (Chabo) secretary Mabhuti Mapeyi said the tournament was hosted to select local pugilists who would represent the district at the provincial championships in Port Elizabeth next weekend.
“We invited boxers from Alfred Nzo Municipality and Fort Hare University. We wanted to test them against other districts because they always do well when they fight against each other. We hosted this tournament as a warm up to see if our boxers are ready for the provincial trials.”
A total of 16 boxers made it to the Chris Hani team with Mapeyi saying there were ready for next weeks showdown. “We have 10 males and six females boxers who have been selected to represent our team. Judging from their fights from the tournament we can see they are ready because they were playing against string opponents.”
Only two local boxers made it to the provincial team last year. “Out of the 10 male boxers we have this year we would like to see at least three make it to the provincial team that will represent us in the national championships at the end of June in East London. Our girls are also on top form so we hope to see them being selected as well.”
Mapeyi said they were grooming local pugilists for boxing academies as well. “There is a lot of attention to elite boxers because there are provincial and national academies that take these boys and help them with everything including their studies as well. Through boxing they can have other opportunities open up for them.”
Local boxer Lukhanyo Matiso said preparations have been going well. “I do not take lunch at work, I asked my boss to leave early so I can go to gym.”
