A spectacular show of boxing skill on Saturday 14 March may well see Grahamstown in line to host more tournaments soon. The tournament staged by Welcome Ncita Productions in conjunction with the provincial Department of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture, saw a total of five appetising bouts at the new Multi-purpose Indoor Centre in Joza.
A spectacular show of boxing skill on Saturday 14 March may well see Grahamstown in line to host more tournaments soon. The tournament staged by Welcome Ncita Productions in conjunction with the provincial Department of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture, saw a total of five appetising bouts at the new Multi-purpose Indoor Centre in Joza.
Ncita said he was more than pleased with the turnout, which he said will play a large role in attracting more boxing tournaments to Grahamstown.
Although there's nothing concrete yet, he said he is still in negotiations with Makana Municipality about bringing more boxing to town.
“I am very happy with the way things turned out here," Ncita said.
"One has to remember that this town has been starved of boxing for a very long time. That people that came out in support of this tournament makes me very happy and also gives me hope that in the next fight it will only get better. My plan is to be back within four weeks with another great tournament in Makana," Ncita said.
"The journey of developing boxing in Grahamstown has begun."
"It’s not only about bringing boxing to this municipality. I want to produce boxing champions from this municipality.”
In a main bout in last week’s tournament, local boxing superstar and the reigning EC welterweight champion, Mziwoxolo Ndwayana, took less than two minutes to successfully defend his provincial title.
In his first fight after losing out on the SA title championship, the 'Black Tiger', as Ndwayana is called in boxing circles, made light work of Mdantsane challenger Masixole Banzi.
Banzi failed to get back on to his feet after a right upper cut by Ndwayana sent him on to the canvas.
Sakhiwo Duruwe, Ndwayana's trainer/coach, said having Ncita in their corner is a blessing.
He believes Ncita is the right man to take Ndwayana to stardom as they seek another shot at an SA title.
“For a very long time we struggled with having a promoter who can get the job done. Now we have someone who wants to take our boxing to the highest level," Duruwe said.
“We want the people of Grahamstown to be proud of their boxing and Ndwayana is the man to put us on the boxing map.”
Spectators at last week's tournament were treated to a blistering contest, as four of the five supporting bouts ended in knockouts.
Bonile Qomfe knocked out Bulelani Rooibaut in the third round of their six-round lightweight matches.
It was arguably the best fight of the day. Both boxers seemed unwilling to go the full distance as they produced back-and-forth haymakers.
But in the end it was Qomfe who prevailed, producing a wild right hook that sent Rooibaut down like a sack of potatoes, leaving the referee no choice but to stop the fight.
In the second fight, Mfundo Mbengobe won via a first-round KO after a heavy punch in the stomach against Jabu Vellem in the mini flyweight.
In the junior featherweight, Simpiwe Mayeza won via a second round knockout against Luvuyo Mzamo Lonwabo Matyu also won by points decision against Xolisani Kana in the junior featherweight four-rounder.
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