THE Limpopo Boxing Promotion (LBP) has lambasted the dearth of dedicated boxing trainers, managers and promoters in the province which in the past produced champions of note.

This comes at a time when Boxing South Africa (BSA) is on a road-show to revive structures in provinces and to make boxers, managers and referees aware of their rights and responsibilities.

To accomplish this mission, BSA board members Peter Ngakane, Dumile Mateza and Abram Kambule visited Limpopo at the weekend.

The province has disjointed structures representing each region.

LBP co-ordinator Edwin Malebatja told Sowetan Limpopo had produced good boxers but they ended up moving to Gauteng because of the shortage of trainers and managers in the province.

Malebatja said different structures in the province should unite. "We want to see boxing growing in Limpopo," Malebatja said, while reminding boxers of the licensing dates - which start on March 10 and close on March 30. "Boxers are the bosses of managers ... and not the other way round. Many boxers have participated in the sport but have nothing to show for it today," he said.

Limpopo staged a boxing tournament late last year when Jonas Kgasago and Elliot Tokona fought over the vacant SA mini-flyweight staged at Meropa Casino in Polokwane. Kgasago won that fight.

Among the judges of the fight was Musandiwa Madzivhandila. At the age of 72 years, she still remains a judge of note ever produced in the province.