Friday, February 7, 2025

Pro boxing makes comeback in Gabz

The long drought of professional boxing in the local scene is expected to end when Bond Boxing Promotions hosts a mouth-watering affair between local super bantam boxer Tefo Letshikgwane and Zimbabwean Tinashe Motodza in Gaborone on April 21.

Bond Boxing Promotions makes the long-awaited return after a stage shutdown since 2015. The professional boxing promoters had cited lack of support and sponsorship to have halted the staging of tournaments in the past year. 

The predicament left boxers in the lurch with no option but to look for bouts in neighbouring Namibia and South Africa.

It has emerged that in their efforts to reach greater heights, Bond Boxing Promotions has slashed its pool of boxers with intentions to concentrate on a few that have potential to clinch continental and world titles. 

In an interview with Sunday Standard, Bond Boxing Promotions spokesperson Bond Ngubula revealed that they had learnt a lot during the lay-off and are determined to make an impact in the professional ranks.

“It has been a long break but very fruitful as it was important to understand the logistics that come along with professional boxing. Professional boxing is very taxing and needs support from all stakeholders hence it was difficult for me to pull alone as a boxing stable. It is encouraging now that some of the boxers have secured a number of sponsors that will relieve the pressure on promoters,” Ngubula said.

He said the reason to slash boxers to remain with only eight in their stable was influenced by the business aspects of the game as with professional boxing it is all about the best talent. 

“We had a pool of boxers some of which were not the best talent but good. We had no choice but to remain with a few to concentrate more on challenging for titles. We need good results that will benefit boxers and promoters and in that way we would be able to attract sponsors and many professional boxing events,” said Ngubula.

Meanwhile, supporting bouts on the day include an interesting junior lightweight battle between Tshepo Khutloeng and Tshepang  “Gearbox” Babui while Tshepiso “Kurapt”  Mokgadi will take on Moses “Rocket Machine” Kamera in the junior middleweight. Another bout will be between Thabiso Mpolokeng and Morei Maiketso in a featherweight bout.

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