JACOB "Baby Jake" Matlala and Tshele Kometsi are creating a South African version of boxing reality show The Contender - called 'King of The Ring'
The Contender became a hit on ESPN and was viewed by millions of people once a week .
Boxing idol Sugar Ray Leonard and ace actor Sylvester Stallone trained fighters in the reality drama that was produced by Mark Burnett and Jeffrey Katzenberg.
The Contender uncovered promising fighters, including Peter "The Pride of Providence" Mafredo, who holds the IBO middleweight belt.
Matlala said their programme will also try to educate fighters, who will be taught financial and life skills, social responsibility and self maintenance.
Matlala and Kometsi will use the Baby Jake Production company that Matlala co-owns with his wife Mapule.
If all goes well the SABC will broadcast the tournament.
"We have already approached the SABC and we are waiting to hear from them," Matlala said.
"Our plan is to have fights on Wednesdays or Fridays. Bouts will be over four and six rounds in lightweight divisions. Fighters will be paid an appearance fee of about R5000."
Kometsi, who will do marketing and public relations, explained that their programme will comprise 16 boxers.
"We won't approach boxers but instead make an announcement and they will contact us. We are going to have contracts with the boxers and not their trainers, managers and promoters.
"They will be housed together and separated into two groups that will be manned by two trainers," Komets said.
"The winner will get R300,000 and the runner-up will get R100,000. Once it is over boxers will return to their respective stables.
"Boxing South Africa has given us a go-ahead. We have a sponsor but I will not disclose its name now."
Kometsi further explained that once the process got into the last eight, boxers will have give motivational talks at schools and prisons. He said boxers will also visit old-age and children's homes.
BSA's acting chief executive Loyiso Mtya confirmed yesterday that they were aware of Matlala's intentions.
"He approached me about it," he said.
Baby Jake clones show
JACOB "Baby Jake" Matlala and Tshele Kometsi are creating a South African version of boxing reality show The Contender - called 'King of The Ring'
The Contender became a hit on ESPN and was viewed by millions of people once a week .
Boxing idol Sugar Ray Leonard and ace actor Sylvester Stallone trained fighters in the reality drama that was produced by Mark Burnett and Jeffrey Katzenberg.
The Contender uncovered promising fighters, including Peter "The Pride of Providence" Mafredo, who holds the IBO middleweight belt.
Matlala said their programme will also try to educate fighters, who will be taught financial and life skills, social responsibility and self maintenance.
Matlala and Kometsi will use the Baby Jake Production company that Matlala co-owns with his wife Mapule.
If all goes well the SABC will broadcast the tournament.
"We have already approached the SABC and we are waiting to hear from them," Matlala said.
"Our plan is to have fights on Wednesdays or Fridays. Bouts will be over four and six rounds in lightweight divisions. Fighters will be paid an appearance fee of about R5000."
Kometsi, who will do marketing and public relations, explained that their programme will comprise 16 boxers.
"We won't approach boxers but instead make an announcement and they will contact us. We are going to have contracts with the boxers and not their trainers, managers and promoters.
"They will be housed together and separated into two groups that will be manned by two trainers," Komets said.
"The winner will get R300,000 and the runner-up will get R100,000. Once it is over boxers will return to their respective stables.
"Boxing South Africa has given us a go-ahead. We have a sponsor but I will not disclose its name now."
Kometsi further explained that once the process got into the last eight, boxers will have give motivational talks at schools and prisons. He said boxers will also visit old-age and children's homes.
BSA's acting chief executive Loyiso Mtya confirmed yesterday that they were aware of Matlala's intentions.
"He approached me about it," he said.
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