MANNY Fernandes continues to stage development tournaments without a sponsor or television coverage.

Fernandes, who doubles as a trainer, is credited with bringing up many former and current top-name boxers including Isaac "Angel" Hlatshwayo and Malcolm "The Stone" Klassen through his development shows.

Hlatshwayo went on to win the SA, IBO junior lightweight and IBO and IBF welterweight belts, while Klassen captured the national featherweight, IBF and WBF junior lightweight titles.

Fernandes told Times Media yesterday that it was all systems go for his seven-bout tournament to take place at Presleys in Boksburg on Thursday night.

"We've got to do development tournaments with or without the backing of television," he said. "This is the feeder to the professional ranks.

"If we don't do these tournaments, then we may as well close shop because there will be nothing coming through from the amateurs.

"It is very difficult to stage a tournament without television and sponsors, but we must keep doing our bit until somebody from the corporate world notices our contribution and comes to the party."

The tournament on Thursday will be Fernandes's third at Presleys this year.

Heavyweight hopeful Deon Coetzee, who has become a regular at this venue, will top the bill with a six-rounder against Michael Manengi.

SA-based Ghanaian 2012 Olympian Maxwell Amponsah, who is trained by Nick Durandt, also returns to the venue where he outpointed Gabriel Duvhana over four rounds in May.

Amponsah will take on Jackson Mashaba in the light-heavyweight clash over four rounds, while Alfonzo Thissen and Prince Dlomo will meet in the junior middleweight over four rounds.

Twinkling stars Stone van Aswegen, the brother to Rupert van Aswegen - former undefeated SA light-heavyweight champion - and Shannon Strydom, son of trainer Gert, will also be in action in other bouts.

"This should be a good tournament," said Fernandes in his parting shot.