Boxing SA’s acting CEO Nsikayezwe Sithole says the time for the boxing fraternity to embrace the practical implementation of innovative ideas including the introduction of celebrity entertainment bouts, has come.
“But they must not expect to see hard-core boxing because celebrities are not trained to fight,” he said yesterday in reaction to mixed feelings about the entertainment bout by Zodwa Wabantu and Manaka Ranaka at the Ridge Casino in Mpumalanga on Sunday.
The bout took place before the SA junior-featherweight championship between reigning champion Matshidiso “Scorpion Lady” Mokebisi and Monalia Takane, which was won by the defending champion Mokebisi.
“Attendance was good; the atmosphere was great and I believe Zodwa and Manaka provided excitement.
“Our tournaments are facing a challenge when it comes to attracting numbers inside the arena and even on social media platforms.
“The inclusion of celebrity entertainment seems to be helping in terms of numbers because these individuals have a huge following.”
It was the case with rapper and entrepreneur Cassper Nyovest and actor and musician Anga Makubalo belting it out over five rounds at Sun City last year.
About 3,000 people were in attendance.
“It was talked about everywhere," Sithole said. “When celebrities are involved in boxing they start to realise the importance of supporting boxing financially so that boxers can maintain weight through healthy eating.
“Cassper said he struggled because he had to eat certain foods and that was expensive. So, if a person like him struggled, how much more about boxers who don’t have financial means to buy supplements?”
Sithole said next year they would implement a boxing teaching series to assist the fraternity in terms of attracting big numbers and sponsors for the benefit of boxing.
“This will include teachings about exhibition fights; celebrity entertainment fights because they differ,” he said.
“Already a number of active boxers have approached BSA to be featured in tournaments that include exhibitions bouts for exposure purposes.”
Celebrity entertainment bouts will boost boxing attendance – Sithole
‘These individuals have a huge following’
Image: Veli Nhlapo
Boxing SA’s acting CEO Nsikayezwe Sithole says the time for the boxing fraternity to embrace the practical implementation of innovative ideas including the introduction of celebrity entertainment bouts, has come.
“But they must not expect to see hard-core boxing because celebrities are not trained to fight,” he said yesterday in reaction to mixed feelings about the entertainment bout by Zodwa Wabantu and Manaka Ranaka at the Ridge Casino in Mpumalanga on Sunday.
The bout took place before the SA junior-featherweight championship between reigning champion Matshidiso “Scorpion Lady” Mokebisi and Monalia Takane, which was won by the defending champion Mokebisi.
“Attendance was good; the atmosphere was great and I believe Zodwa and Manaka provided excitement.
“Our tournaments are facing a challenge when it comes to attracting numbers inside the arena and even on social media platforms.
“The inclusion of celebrity entertainment seems to be helping in terms of numbers because these individuals have a huge following.”
It was the case with rapper and entrepreneur Cassper Nyovest and actor and musician Anga Makubalo belting it out over five rounds at Sun City last year.
About 3,000 people were in attendance.
“It was talked about everywhere," Sithole said. “When celebrities are involved in boxing they start to realise the importance of supporting boxing financially so that boxers can maintain weight through healthy eating.
“Cassper said he struggled because he had to eat certain foods and that was expensive. So, if a person like him struggled, how much more about boxers who don’t have financial means to buy supplements?”
Sithole said next year they would implement a boxing teaching series to assist the fraternity in terms of attracting big numbers and sponsors for the benefit of boxing.
“This will include teachings about exhibition fights; celebrity entertainment fights because they differ,” he said.
“Already a number of active boxers have approached BSA to be featured in tournaments that include exhibitions bouts for exposure purposes.”
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