'Baby champs must return'

BOXING trainer Alex Mchunu has called on Sport Minister Fikile Mbalula to bring back the Baby Champs boxing development programme, which has produced a number of top boxers.

The Baby Champs programme was discontinued during the board of Peter Ngatane about three years ago, much to the chagrin of many budding boxers, trainers, managers and promoters.

"Boxing was never the same for up-and-coming boxers, trainers, managers and promoters since the Baby Champs were discontinued," said Mchunu yesterday.

"I'm pleading with the minister to bring it back, especially now that he has started the journey to rebuild boxing."

The trainer's son, the newly crowned North American Boxing Federation (NABF) cruiserweight champion, Thabiso Mchunu, is a product of Boxing SA's four-round development programme.

"The Baby Champs gave unknown boxers, trainers, managers and promoters action," said Mchunu senior.

"It also enabled them to make a living while it helped South Africa to unearth talent. Many boys like Thabiso, Bongani Mwelase, Gideon Buthelezi, Tshepang Mohale, Nkululeko Mhlongo and Marcel Jafta came through this project, which was driven by the energetic Loyiso Mtya."

Mwelase went on to win the SA, WBC International and WBF welterweight and WBF junior-middleweight belts; Buthelezi captured the IBO junior-flyweight strap; Mhlongo became the SA junior-middleweight champion while Mohale won both the SA super middleweight and light-heavyweight belts.

"Loyiso made sure that newly licensed boxers from around the country took part in the project, which helped build a support base for youngsters. It also generated interest since most tournaments were televised by SABC," said Mchunu.