South African professional boxers under Kalakoda Promotions will arrive in Gaborone sometime in July 2017 to honour late local pro boxer Hebert Nkabiti.
The boxers will take compete in a tribute tournament organised by the said stable.
This comes after Nkabiti, who competed at the fully parked Carnival City boxing event a week ago passed away after collapsing. Nkabiti collapsed after his opponent Willers Baloyi of South Africa landed a flurry of punches on the last round of their bout.
Hailed for his iron fist in the boxing arena, throughout his professional career Nkabiti fought 14 bouts with an impressive run. The Kanye-born boxer won 10 of his bouts with a Technical Knockout (TKO) and succumbed to three battles with a single draw in his record.
Before turning professional in 2009, Nkabiti had an impact in the amateur ranks having won a silver medal at the All Africa Games in 2007 in Algiers.
In an interview with Sunday Standard, Kalakoda Promotions spokesperson Jeremy Bean confirmed that they would coming to Gaborone in July to honour the fallen boxing hero. He said their intention was to support the family during trying times.
“It is sad to the boxing fraternity that has lost a boxer of Nkabiti’s calibre in such a manner but we will do anything possible to assist his family.
“Our representatives met with his family this week and assisted with medical costs and funeral arrangements thus far,” Bean said.
He said the tribute tournament billed for Gaborone will contribute to his wife and child.
“However, Bean said at the moment they were still addressing the funeral arrangements and the intention is to bring on board all stakeholders to be part of the tribute to assist the fallen boxer.
“We are still in the very early planning stages and looking to get Botswana corporate entities and government of Botswana on board. It is too premature at this stage to give details of the boxers to partake at the event as we are still in the process of laying Herbert to rest and planning the proposed event. We believe that it will be appropriate to have an event that will recognise Nkabiti as a professional athlete that has made his nation proud,” concluded Bean.
