The legacy of departed amateur boxer and president Nelson Mandela will be celebrated with two star-studded professional boxing tournaments in East London this weekend.

The legacy of departed amateur boxer and president Nelson Mandela will be celebrated with two star-studded professional boxing tournaments in East London this weekend.

Action begins tonight at the International Convention Centre where Xaba Promotions and Events will stage a four-championship tournament.

Gideon Buthelezi will headline the bill with the defence of his International Boxing Organisation (IBO) junior bantamweight belt against Ryan Rey Ponteras from the Philippines, while Ludumo Lamati and Colombian Luis Melendez will fight for a vacant International Boxing Federation (IBF) Continental featherweight title.

Mzuvukile Magwaca will face Yesner Talavera from Nicaragua for another vacant IBF regional title but in the bantamweight class.

Siphamandla Baleni will make his voluntary defence of the SA miniflyweight title against Bangile Nyanga. SABC will broadcast from 9pm but action begins at 7pm.

Then in the Free State, Skylon Promotions of female promoter Promise Moyo will be in charge of a nine-bout development card at Lighthouse in Flamingo Park, Welkom.

Topping the bill will be female SA junior featherweight champion Matshidiso Mokebisi against Melissa Miller, while Gift Pilane and Jabulani Mafatle will fight for a vacant provincial flyweight title. Action kicks off at 7.30pm.

On Sunday afternoon, Thembalethu Ntuthu's Rumble Africa Promotions will stage a tournament at Orient Theatre in East London where Azinga Fuzile will top the bill with the defence of his SA featherweight title against Rofhiwa Maemu.

In the main supporting bout, Thembelani Nxoshe will put his SA flyweight belt on the line against Xolisile Voyi, while Toto Helebe will defend his national bantamweight belt against Cebo Ngema. Khanyile Bulana will defend his provincial featherweight belt against Simthembile Luzipho.

The action starts at 2pm.