FED-UP trainer Ellias Mpembe says boxing should be freed from government control because its involvement is not doing the sport any good.
Mpembe is disgruntled because a WBF women's featherweight bout between his charge Gabisile Tshabalala and Unathi Myekeni did not take place as scheduled on August 31.
Mpembe said promoter Siphatho Handi told him that he could not get funding from the Eastern Cape government for the bout.
"This is very frustrating because immediately after agreeing [the match-up] with Siphatho in July, Gabisile worked hard in the gym. Imagine the difficulty breaking the news to the boxer," said Mpembe yesterday.
"I cannot blame Siphatho at all. These guys [promoters] rely on government and I am sure that Siphatho, like any other promoter in East London, was sure that he would get funding from the provincial government.
"That is why it was a big mistake that boxing fell under government when Boxing SA came into being in 2001. Promoters were able to get funding from the private sector, something that does not happen now simply because nobody will want to sponsor government."
It is unclear why Handi did not get assistance. He said negotiations with a sponsor were not finalised.
"We then agreed to postpone. I will know before end of September when will the fight take place."
Mpembe has a stab at government
FED-UP trainer Ellias Mpembe says boxing should be freed from government control because its involvement is not doing the sport any good.
Mpembe is disgruntled because a WBF women's featherweight bout between his charge Gabisile Tshabalala and Unathi Myekeni did not take place as scheduled on August 31.
Mpembe said promoter Siphatho Handi told him that he could not get funding from the Eastern Cape government for the bout.
"This is very frustrating because immediately after agreeing [the match-up] with Siphatho in July, Gabisile worked hard in the gym. Imagine the difficulty breaking the news to the boxer," said Mpembe yesterday.
"I cannot blame Siphatho at all. These guys [promoters] rely on government and I am sure that Siphatho, like any other promoter in East London, was sure that he would get funding from the provincial government.
"That is why it was a big mistake that boxing fell under government when Boxing SA came into being in 2001. Promoters were able to get funding from the private sector, something that does not happen now simply because nobody will want to sponsor government."
It is unclear why Handi did not get assistance. He said negotiations with a sponsor were not finalised.
"We then agreed to postpone. I will know before end of September when will the fight take place."
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