Bongani Magasela
Bongani Magasela
Some dreams will be fulfilled while others will be shattered tonight at Thabong Community hall in the Free Sate.
Thirty-two young boxers from all the provinces will slug it out for recognition in the finals of Boxing SA's Baby Champs development programme. Fights in all 16 weight divisions will be over four rounds. Triumphants will be awarded with personally engraved belts while losers will be given a second chance as it has happened previously.
The development programme, which started in 2005, is driven by Loyiso Mtya. It has produced South African and International champions such as Zukisani "Troublemaker" Kwayiba (WBC International mini flyweight) and Bongani "Cyclones" Mwelase (SA and WBC International welterweight).
Mtya explained that their programme was designed to lay a foundation for boxing, give chances to aspirant fighters, trainers, promoters, officials and also to revive old boxing venues.
The Free State government will bankroll tonight's tournament, which will be promoted by that province's Fezile Mabuya.
Some of the young warriors to look out for are Olebokeng and Tumelo Motseki (Kimberley), Thanduxolo Dyani (Khayelitsha), Themba Joyi (Mdantsane), Godlife Mabitsela, Bongani Dlamini, Themba Lesiba and Nkululeko Mhlongo (all from Gauteng).
Both Thabiso Dlamini (KwaZulu-Natal) and Tony Elefserio (Gauteng) should have no difficulty dispatching Noubissi Jacques (Western Cape) and Bully Marhavha (Limpopo) in the junior heavyweight and the heavyweight divisions, respectively.
Boxers slug it out for glory
Bongani Magasela
Bongani Magasela
Some dreams will be fulfilled while others will be shattered tonight at Thabong Community hall in the Free Sate.
Thirty-two young boxers from all the provinces will slug it out for recognition in the finals of Boxing SA's Baby Champs development programme. Fights in all 16 weight divisions will be over four rounds. Triumphants will be awarded with personally engraved belts while losers will be given a second chance as it has happened previously.
The development programme, which started in 2005, is driven by Loyiso Mtya. It has produced South African and International champions such as Zukisani "Troublemaker" Kwayiba (WBC International mini flyweight) and Bongani "Cyclones" Mwelase (SA and WBC International welterweight).
Mtya explained that their programme was designed to lay a foundation for boxing, give chances to aspirant fighters, trainers, promoters, officials and also to revive old boxing venues.
The Free State government will bankroll tonight's tournament, which will be promoted by that province's Fezile Mabuya.
Some of the young warriors to look out for are Olebokeng and Tumelo Motseki (Kimberley), Thanduxolo Dyani (Khayelitsha), Themba Joyi (Mdantsane), Godlife Mabitsela, Bongani Dlamini, Themba Lesiba and Nkululeko Mhlongo (all from Gauteng).
Both Thabiso Dlamini (KwaZulu-Natal) and Tony Elefserio (Gauteng) should have no difficulty dispatching Noubissi Jacques (Western Cape) and Bully Marhavha (Limpopo) in the junior heavyweight and the heavyweight divisions, respectively.