Come Sunday, 29 May 2016 it will blow by blow, pound for pound, the winner takes all at Lillian Ngoyi Multi Purpose Hall when Nelson Mandela Bay Promoters Association will host World Boxing Federation (WBO) title fights.
The boxing tournament which has been seen in boxing circles as the beginning of glory days for the sport of boxing in Nelson Mandela Bay will see professional rated boxers competing in different divisions.
Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality is the main sponsor of the tournament, through its directorate of Sport and Recreation. Speaking at the press conference organised to announce the tournament on Wednesday, the Nelson Mandela Bay Director of Sport and Recreation, Charmain Willians said tournament will offer an opportunity for Eastern Cape boxers to defend their title fights infront of their home crowd.
The tournament will stage three professional title fights and four development bouts. Williams said the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality has for the past 5 years supported amateur boxing. “This support has contributed positively towards the growth of boxing, both talent, administration and coaching.
Sport and Recreation Mayoral Committee Member, Andiswa Mama said Nelson Mandela Bay used to be a mecca of boxing. “ We have a clear agenda to develop the sport of boxing to be a breeding ground for development of boxers who will become national and world champions like Vuyani Nene and Mzukisi Sikali,” said Mama.
Mama said it was all systems go for Sunday. She said all necessary processes have been followed and the tournament is sanctioned by Boxing South Africa.
The first fight will be the vacant WBF International Welter Weight where Anelisa Gungqisa will from Walmer Township will take on Mziwoxolo Ndwayana from Grahamstown. Rated number 8 in South Africa rankings, Gungqisa is not new to the game.
The other professional fight will be the vacant WBF Africa Fly Weight title fight between Siyabonga Blaauw from KwaLanga Uitenhage versus Xola Sifama who is a former South African Fly Weight Champion from Duncan Village in East London.
A South African Junior Light Weight title fight between Nomampondomise Xotyeni who is currently a Junior Light Weight Champion from Uitenhage will be defending her title for the first time against Nozipho Bell who is rated No 2 in South African rankings.
“We call upon the people of Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality to come out in their number to enjoy the sport they love. We want to bring back our glory days when boxing was our daily bread. As the municipality we have a clear agenda to place our focus on sport as a tool not only to groom talent, but to protect the youth from crime and drug abuse,” Mama added.
