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Ellis hosts tourney at old battle ground

Bongani Magasela

Bongani Magasela

Jeff Ellis fought and lost to Kallie Knoetze via a second round knockout in a heavyweight bout in February 1976.

Their fight took place at Wembley Ice Rink, in Johannesburg. Ellis returns to that venue tomorrow, but this time as a boxing promoter.

His African Ring company will present a seven-bout programme that features rising stars Jared Lovett, Hekkie Budler, Victor Temlett, Jason Bedeman, Joey Stiglingh and Kyle Botha as well as former SA and All Africa middleweight champion Anthony van Niekerk.

Most of these fighters are from the south of Johannesburg, hence Ellis has dubbed the tournament "southern impact".

"I am excited," said Ellis. "This tournament is for all those boxing followers who could not make it to all the box-and-dines that I did with Knockout Promotions."

Lovett will fight Ronnie Lategan at 81kg (catchweight) while Budler will fight Jonny Oliphant in the junior flyweight class.

Temlett will fight Khayeni Hlungwana in another catchweight (81kg) bout, Bedeman versus Sifiso Mthethwa in the lightweight class and Stiglingh against Thomas Mamaila in another lightweight clash.

Bothma, the son of former SA lightweight champion Peet Bothma, will fight Thomas Mamaila in the lightweights divison. All these bouts will be over four rounds.

Van Niekerk and Emmanuel Duma will do battle in another catchweight (81kg) bout over six rounds. The battle between the two veterans could be vicious because neither fighter can afford a defeat at this stage of their waning careers.

In May Van Niekerk was stopped in the 12th round by Daniel Bruwer for the national light heavyweight title. It was his sixth loss against 20 wins.

Duma was blown away in two rounds by Tshepo Mashego for the Gauteng middleweight belt in August, his 12th defeat in 24 fights.

Ellis' tournament will be bankrolled by Kulungile Metals Group. Tickets costs R75 and R100 and action will kick off at 7pm.

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