EASTERN Cape has reclaimed its spot as the Mecca of boxing in South Africa, thanks to the provincial government's backing of promoters' attempts to keep boxers active - with or without television.
This is illustrated by the number of tournaments that have taken place there, the number of current South African champions as well as the large number of boxers in the province who are rated, from mini flyweight to the featherweight division.
These are the most active weight divisions, especially in East London, which does not have big boxers in terms of physique.
The number of divisions from mini flyweight, which is the smallest weight class, to featherweight is seven. This means that there are 70 rated boxers in those rankings.
Fifty are from Eastern Cape and they duly deserve to be there because they are active. There is action in that boxing-crazy province almost every weekend.
Nine national champions are from that part of the country. This is an achievement for a province that lost the likes of Hawk Makepula, Zolani Marali, Monelisi Myekeni and Simphiwe Vetyeka, who relocated to Johannesburg.
KwaZulu-Natal currently has three national champions and that includes the Gauteng-based junior middleweight champion Nkululeko Mhlongo, while Gauteng has only one South African champion in Tshepang Mohale, who holds the light- heavyweight belt.
Limpopo and Western Cape have one champion each. Only two - the lightweight and cruiserweight titles - are vacant.
Gauteng was the hub of boxing in South Africa four years ago when the provincial government was heavily involved in the sport. That was demonstrated by the exodus of boxers from their respective provinces to the City of Gold.
There was plenty of action and many champions were made. The province earned the title of the "Home of Champions". But it has since become the "home of former champions".
The province's biggest stable, that of trainer Nick Durandt, used to have the most SA and world champions in the country, but it currently has no SA champion but two world champions in Moruti Mthalane (IBF flyweight) and Simpiwe Vetyeka (IBO featherweight).
Mthalane is originally from KwaZulu-Natal while Vetyeka is from East London.
Eastern Cape rules the ring again
EASTERN Cape has reclaimed its spot as the Mecca of boxing in South Africa, thanks to the provincial government's backing of promoters' attempts to keep boxers active - with or without television.
This is illustrated by the number of tournaments that have taken place there, the number of current South African champions as well as the large number of boxers in the province who are rated, from mini flyweight to the featherweight division.
These are the most active weight divisions, especially in East London, which does not have big boxers in terms of physique.
The number of divisions from mini flyweight, which is the smallest weight class, to featherweight is seven. This means that there are 70 rated boxers in those rankings.
Fifty are from Eastern Cape and they duly deserve to be there because they are active. There is action in that boxing-crazy province almost every weekend.
Nine national champions are from that part of the country. This is an achievement for a province that lost the likes of Hawk Makepula, Zolani Marali, Monelisi Myekeni and Simphiwe Vetyeka, who relocated to Johannesburg.
KwaZulu-Natal currently has three national champions and that includes the Gauteng-based junior middleweight champion Nkululeko Mhlongo, while Gauteng has only one South African champion in Tshepang Mohale, who holds the light- heavyweight belt.
Limpopo and Western Cape have one champion each. Only two - the lightweight and cruiserweight titles - are vacant.
Gauteng was the hub of boxing in South Africa four years ago when the provincial government was heavily involved in the sport. That was demonstrated by the exodus of boxers from their respective provinces to the City of Gold.
There was plenty of action and many champions were made. The province earned the title of the "Home of Champions". But it has since become the "home of former champions".
The province's biggest stable, that of trainer Nick Durandt, used to have the most SA and world champions in the country, but it currently has no SA champion but two world champions in Moruti Mthalane (IBF flyweight) and Simpiwe Vetyeka (IBO featherweight).
Mthalane is originally from KwaZulu-Natal while Vetyeka is from East London.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending
Latest Videos