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Durandt, Milenkovic sweep awards tables

MEDIA PUNCH: Bongani Magasela. Pic. Bafana Mahlangu. 24/04/2010. © Sowetan. 20100424 BMA Sowetan's boxing journalist Bongani Magasela received the media personality award during the yearly BSA Awards at the near Pretoria. PHOTO: BAFANA MAHLANGU
MEDIA PUNCH: Bongani Magasela. Pic. Bafana Mahlangu. 24/04/2010. © Sowetan. 20100424 BMA Sowetan's boxing journalist Bongani Magasela received the media personality award during the yearly BSA Awards at the near Pretoria. PHOTO: BAFANA MAHLANGU

ESTEEMED Gauteng trainer and manager Nick Durandt and promoter Branco Milenkovic swept the tables during Boxing South Africa's (BSA) annual awards last weekend.

ESTEEMED Gauteng trainer and manager Nick Durandt and promoter Branco Milenkovic swept the tables during Boxing South Africa's (BSA) annual awards last weekend.

Durandt's school of charges fight under the Branco Sports Production of Milenkovic. He and Milenkovic made four trips to the podium to collect trophies. Their fighters Cassius Baloyi, Malcolm Klassen and Simphiwe Nongqayi were honoured for their contributions and achievements in 2009.

Baloyi and Klassen's ground-breaking clash, the first between stable mates, was voted fight of 2009. Klassen dethroned Baloyi of his IBF junior bantamweight crown. It was presented by Milenkovic.

Nongqayi was unanimously voted boxer of 2009. The "Golden Master" achieved his greatness of winning both the IBF junior bantamweight title eliminator and the actual title far way from home. Durandt was voted trainer and manager of 2009.

Heavyweight new find Flo Simba, known as "Demolition Man" walked away with the prospect of the year award.

Simba has chalked up three stoppages in as many fights.

Siya Vabaza, the female referee and judge who has been with boxing for ages, was honoured with a ring official award while hard-working promoter Jeff Ellis received the special award.

S'Phatho Handi was deservedly voted promoter of 2009. He made sure that there was a female bout in his seven international tournaments last year.

One was when South Africa produced its first female world champion in Noni Tenge who won the WBF welterweight belt.

l Sowetan, through this writer, won the Media award.

BSA must be proud of themselves for staging another successful evening despite their shoe-string budget.

SABC boxing commentator Dicksy Ngqula and BSA acting chief Loyiso Mtya did a sterling job as masters of ceremonies.

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