Nelson Mandela may have died three years ago, but his spirit lives on.
The former SA president will be celebrated as an aspirant boxer by the boxing fraternity at East London's International Convention Centre on July 22 - three days after what would have been his 98th birthday.
Promoter and former provincial ANC Youth League East London chairman Ayanda Matiti yesterday said his Xaba Events will honour the late statesman with an international box-and-dine tournament which boasts three IBF-sanctioned bouts.
Matiti said the New Jersey- based IBF had already sanctioned three local boxers to do duty on the night. They are Aphiwe Mboyiya, Makazole Tete and Athenkosi Dumezweni.
"I am bringing the IBF back to the country," said Matiti.
The IBF has been well represented in SA since 1990 when Welcome Ncita won the junior featherweight belt in Israel.
Other local fighters who were IBF legitimate world champions are Vuyani Bungu, Brian Mitchell, Phillip Holiday, Mbulelo Botile, Zolani Petelo, Nkosinathi Joyi, Francois Botha, Lehlohonolo Ledwaba, Moruti Mthalane, Simpiwe Nongqayi, Isaac Hlatshwayo and most recently Zolani Tete.
Matiti said Mboyiyia - who was crowned as new SA junior lightweight champion two weeks ago - would head the bill on July 22 when he challenges for a vacant IBF Youth title, while Zonal bantamweight holder Tete will challenge for an Intercontinental strap. Tete has vacated the Zonal belt he won in the same tournament where Mboyiya ended the reign of Jasper Seroka.
"Athenkosi will challenge for that vacant Zonal belt," said Matiti.
Reigning IBO International featherweight champion Mabhuti Sinyani will also be in action.
Mandela the boxer lives on
Nelson Mandela may have died three years ago, but his spirit lives on.
The former SA president will be celebrated as an aspirant boxer by the boxing fraternity at East London's International Convention Centre on July 22 - three days after what would have been his 98th birthday.
Promoter and former provincial ANC Youth League East London chairman Ayanda Matiti yesterday said his Xaba Events will honour the late statesman with an international box-and-dine tournament which boasts three IBF-sanctioned bouts.
Matiti said the New Jersey- based IBF had already sanctioned three local boxers to do duty on the night. They are Aphiwe Mboyiya, Makazole Tete and Athenkosi Dumezweni.
"I am bringing the IBF back to the country," said Matiti.
The IBF has been well represented in SA since 1990 when Welcome Ncita won the junior featherweight belt in Israel.
Other local fighters who were IBF legitimate world champions are Vuyani Bungu, Brian Mitchell, Phillip Holiday, Mbulelo Botile, Zolani Petelo, Nkosinathi Joyi, Francois Botha, Lehlohonolo Ledwaba, Moruti Mthalane, Simpiwe Nongqayi, Isaac Hlatshwayo and most recently Zolani Tete.
Matiti said Mboyiyia - who was crowned as new SA junior lightweight champion two weeks ago - would head the bill on July 22 when he challenges for a vacant IBF Youth title, while Zonal bantamweight holder Tete will challenge for an Intercontinental strap. Tete has vacated the Zonal belt he won in the same tournament where Mboyiya ended the reign of Jasper Seroka.
"Athenkosi will challenge for that vacant Zonal belt," said Matiti.
Reigning IBO International featherweight champion Mabhuti Sinyani will also be in action.
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