PROFESSIONAL boxing in Africa could get a face-lift in the countries where it already exists and subsequently spread to Swaziland, Lesotho, Botswana and Mozambique.

Peter Ngatane issued this message of hope yesterday. He was shedding light on some of the burning issues that will be discussed at the African Boxing Union (ABU) convention this week in Lusaka, Zambia.

The chairperson of Boxing SA, who also serves as vice-president of the ABU, will jet to Zambia tomorrow to attend the annual convention that starts on Thursday and ends on Sunday.

The ABU paved the way for top South African referees Alfred Buqwana, Joseph Chaane and Thabo Spampool to officiate internationally and made it possible for local fighters such as Thulani "Sugarboy" Malinga and Dingaan "The Rose of Soweto" Thobela to fight for WBC titles.

Ngatane also serves on the World Boxing Council's (WBC) board of governors. The Mexico-based WBC is the mother body of the ABU that is recognised by the Supreme Council of Sport in Africa. That organisation controls sport on the subcontinent.

"Professional boxing is not established in the whole of Africa and we will look at ways and means of making sure that all African states have it. Once that is done there will be no need for fighters from Swaziland, Botswana, Lesotho and Mozambique to come to South Africa," Ngatane said.

"We will also look at ways of paving the way for African fighters to be accessible to the whole world. This convention is mainly about electing the new executive and holding workshops, one of which will be for ring officials. The WBC has sent through top officials who will conduct the workshops."

The WBC opened doors for two South African fighters, Gideon Buthelezi and Simphiwe Vetyeka, to fight for the junior flyweight and super bantamweight belts.