Bongani Magasela
Bongani Magasela
Top boxing promoter Pat Molefe goes back to Park Station on Sunday despite concerns from other promoters that his venue damages the good of boxing as a professional sport.
What annoys them most is that Molefe does not charge even a cent. They say his generosity does not only degrade the sport but also spoils fans who subsequently do not want to pay at other venues.
They say up-and-coming fighters, four-round fighters to be precise, can be taken there in a move they believe will help build their support base.
But they say no title fight must be staged there because free entrance will give the wrong impression that boxing is desperate for crowds.
Others say boxing at the station and at shopping malls degrades the sport and also puts boxers' lives at risk because anything can happen to a fighter while walking back to their mobile change rooms while the rest of the people will be watching other fights.
But Molefe, who has staged tournaments at the station and at Dobsonville and Jabulani shopping malls, said his intention has always been to take boxing to the people.
"I've staged fights in Giyani, Durban and East London but the reception I get from Park Station and shopping malls is just unbelievable.
"Attendance is guaranteed, not because of free entrance but because people are always there for transport or to buy groceries," said Molefe, who promotes under the flag of Rainbow Boxing Promotions.
His seven-bout programme on Sunday involves boxers from Gauteng, Limpopo, Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal and Uganda.
Luyanda Jako will defend the Gauteng lightweight title against Amon Baloyi in the main fight while Terry Ngubane from KwaZulu-Natal will fight Ugandan David Basanjura in the middleweight division over eight rounds.
The fight that should be a thrill-a-minute affair is a welterweight six rounder between Thabo Mashishi and Pius Dipheko.
Mashishi's second spot in the ratings will be up for grabs. Dipheko is rated fourth in the junior welterweight class.
The fights will be televised live by SuperSport from 1.45pm.
molefe defiant
Bongani Magasela
Bongani Magasela
Top boxing promoter Pat Molefe goes back to Park Station on Sunday despite concerns from other promoters that his venue damages the good of boxing as a professional sport.
What annoys them most is that Molefe does not charge even a cent. They say his generosity does not only degrade the sport but also spoils fans who subsequently do not want to pay at other venues.
They say up-and-coming fighters, four-round fighters to be precise, can be taken there in a move they believe will help build their support base.
But they say no title fight must be staged there because free entrance will give the wrong impression that boxing is desperate for crowds.
Others say boxing at the station and at shopping malls degrades the sport and also puts boxers' lives at risk because anything can happen to a fighter while walking back to their mobile change rooms while the rest of the people will be watching other fights.
But Molefe, who has staged tournaments at the station and at Dobsonville and Jabulani shopping malls, said his intention has always been to take boxing to the people.
"I've staged fights in Giyani, Durban and East London but the reception I get from Park Station and shopping malls is just unbelievable.
"Attendance is guaranteed, not because of free entrance but because people are always there for transport or to buy groceries," said Molefe, who promotes under the flag of Rainbow Boxing Promotions.
His seven-bout programme on Sunday involves boxers from Gauteng, Limpopo, Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal and Uganda.
Luyanda Jako will defend the Gauteng lightweight title against Amon Baloyi in the main fight while Terry Ngubane from KwaZulu-Natal will fight Ugandan David Basanjura in the middleweight division over eight rounds.
The fight that should be a thrill-a-minute affair is a welterweight six rounder between Thabo Mashishi and Pius Dipheko.
Mashishi's second spot in the ratings will be up for grabs. Dipheko is rated fourth in the junior welterweight class.
The fights will be televised live by SuperSport from 1.45pm.
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