BOXING promoter Andile Bakubaku returns to Ndevana on Sunday to continue with his mission to develop boxing in the rural area outside King Williams Town.

The Mdantsane-born Bakubaku revealed yesterday that he took the baton from the late Mathemba Nyakathi, who was the first boxing promoter to stage professional boxing matches in that part of Eastern Cape.

Bakubaku, who trades under the banner of Champion Boxing Promotions, said Bongani Silila and Mfundo Gwayana would top his bill in their eagerly-awaited rematch.

Silila outpointed Gwayana over 12 rounds when they fought for the interim SA junior-flyweight title at Orient Theatre on September 30 last year. Silila went on to win the actual title with a ninth-round stoppage of Luzuko Siyo on February 24.

Bakubaku has put together seven bouts, featuring fighters from Mdantsane, Border Post, Zwelitsha, Alice, Ilitha, Ncera, Kuni and Biko.

He expects fireworks from Silila and Gwayana.

''What makes this fight even more interesting is the fact that the two boxers are best friends outside the ring and they both hail from Mdantsane," said Bakubaku.

Malibongwe Ndzube and Khululekile Sibeko will meet in the junior-middleweight class .

Bakubaku paid tribute to Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula for making it possible for him to pick up where Nyakathi left off.

''I recently explained the dilemma that I have in trying to stage boxing tournaments there [Ndevana]," he said.

''Mbalula did not think twice but offered financial assistance because he actually wants to [see] us promoters take boxing to all corners of the country."