Boxing bodies go toe-to-toe

THE gloves are off in a battle between the Soweto Open Boxing Organisation (Sobo), Gauteng Amateur Boxing Organisation (Gabo) and South African National Amateur Boxing Organisation (Sanabo).

Sobo has withdrawn from all championships and events in Gauteng until the annual general meeting of the Johannesburg Boxing Organisation on April 26, general secretary Siphiwe Sithole has announced.

"Unfortunately, this has been necessitated by some circumstances which we find unacceptable."

The row between the Soweto body and provincial one has been simmering for some time. Sobo accuses Sanabo, the mother body, of failing to intervene in the dispute.

Sobo president Jeff Ngwenya said they wrote to the SA Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee with claims of a lack of transparency and accountability at Gabo - for equipment missing from the now-defunct Gauteng Boxing Academy as well as a lack of transformation in boxing in the province.

He said a meeting involving all the concerned parties at Johannesburg Stadium failed to come up with a solution. Sanabo president Andile Mofu said the matter is being dealt with by the provincial body.

"I will make your life difficult if you publish that nonsense ," Gabo chairman Herman Beukes warned when contacted for comment. Gabo secretary Hans Brits said they had compiled a report that would be sent to the relevant parties.