Even less recognised boxing titles will be appreciated in KwaZulu-Natal, says promoter Thulani Magudulela, whose charge George Mdluli will challenge current WBA Pan African junior-middleweight champion Frans Ramabolu in Bloemfontein tonight.
The province finds itself in this desperate position as it struggles to produce boxing champions.
The 12-rounder between Mdluli from Durban and Joburg-based Ramabolu from Free State is a rematch and is being organised by Dream Team Promotions of promoter Lebo Mahoko at Pacofs Theatre Hall.
The title that will be on the line is so trivial that the boxing championship committee had no issues sanctioning Ramabolu, even though he only had three bouts under his belt when the two boxers met for the first time in May.
Magudulela said Mdluli's victory tonight will be celebrated like when Siboniso Gonya won the same organisation's bantamweight title in May.
''I did all I could, financially and otherwise, to make it possible for George to win [tonight]. Even our MEC for sports, Ntombikayise Sibhidla-Saphetha, gave us her blessings. That is how much we want a title here," he said.
KwaZulu-Natal has produced a host of great champions, including South Africa's first WBC titlist - super-middleweight Thulani "Sugarboy" Malinga - Elijah Makhathini, Maxwell Malinga, Robbie Williams and Gregory Clark.
But the current state of affairs is slowly destroying that legacy as the province only has two champions.
The main undercard of Mahoko's tournament tonight pits Gideon Buthelezi against Doctor Ntsele for the vacant WBF Intercontinental junior-bantamweight strap.
The third title on the programme is the female bantamweight belt that will be contested by Matshidiso Mokebisi and Winnie Mphahlele.
There will be five more bouts and the action begins at 8pm.
Just any title will do
Even less recognised boxing titles will be appreciated in KwaZulu-Natal, says promoter Thulani Magudulela, whose charge George Mdluli will challenge current WBA Pan African junior-middleweight champion Frans Ramabolu in Bloemfontein tonight.
The province finds itself in this desperate position as it struggles to produce boxing champions.
The 12-rounder between Mdluli from Durban and Joburg-based Ramabolu from Free State is a rematch and is being organised by Dream Team Promotions of promoter Lebo Mahoko at Pacofs Theatre Hall.
The title that will be on the line is so trivial that the boxing championship committee had no issues sanctioning Ramabolu, even though he only had three bouts under his belt when the two boxers met for the first time in May.
Magudulela said Mdluli's victory tonight will be celebrated like when Siboniso Gonya won the same organisation's bantamweight title in May.
''I did all I could, financially and otherwise, to make it possible for George to win [tonight]. Even our MEC for sports, Ntombikayise Sibhidla-Saphetha, gave us her blessings. That is how much we want a title here," he said.
KwaZulu-Natal has produced a host of great champions, including South Africa's first WBC titlist - super-middleweight Thulani "Sugarboy" Malinga - Elijah Makhathini, Maxwell Malinga, Robbie Williams and Gregory Clark.
But the current state of affairs is slowly destroying that legacy as the province only has two champions.
The main undercard of Mahoko's tournament tonight pits Gideon Buthelezi against Doctor Ntsele for the vacant WBF Intercontinental junior-bantamweight strap.
The third title on the programme is the female bantamweight belt that will be contested by Matshidiso Mokebisi and Winnie Mphahlele.
There will be five more bouts and the action begins at 8pm.
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