Bongani Magasela

Bongani Magasela

It's all systems go for Dingaan Thobela Knockout Promotions' inaugural tournament at Silverstar Casino in Mogale City, says promoter Jeff Ellis.

The former professional heavyweight fighter, a member of the boxing commission, co-promotes with Allan Young and Dingaan Thobela.

Ellis, Young and Philip Silver, who relocated to Australia, are distinguished promoters noted for the development of fighters.

In fact they also came up with the idea of box-and-dines that have become a vehicle for introducing new fans to the fight game.

This consortium and Silverstar Casino will present their first box-and-dine tournament at the casino, which opened its doors to the public in December last year.

It's an eight-bout programme. The main bout will be a catchweight six rounder between Jared "The Storm" Lovett and Toto "The Poet" Mubenga.

Lovett, 23, from the south of Johannesburg, is under the mentorship of young and productive trainer Collin Nathan while Mubenga, 38, from Lubumbashi in the Democratic Republic of Congo, is based here under George Khosi in Hillbrow.

Jason Bedeman and Tsiko Molevhedzi will meet in the lightweight division over four rounds while Zane Mundell, who is described by top boxing analyst Terry Pettifer as a flashy young fighter who could become an instant box-office hit, will make his professional debut against Godfrey Mabunda.

Kyle Bothma will fight Victor Nlungwani and Kyle Smith will take on Nkululeko Mozelisi.

Both fights will be over four rounds.

Ruben Groenewald, the former WBU middleweight champion, is also set to make an appearance in this West Rand casino. He will take on Patrick Madzinga in a heavyweight clash.

Steve Castle has been included in this programme but his opponent is yet to be known. Action is scheduled to kick off at 7.30pm.