There is no time for introducing recently appointed Boxing SA (BSA) provincial managers in Free State and KwaZulu-Natal to the boxing regulatory body’s culture and processes to bring them up to speed as well as making them feel comfortable and aware of their professional responsibilities.
Mzolisi Mabuya and Mike Dube were appointed last month.
Mabuya will be in charge of Dream Team, whose owner and promoter, Lebo Mahoko, will stage a tournament at Mookeng Hall in Kroonstad where Koos Sibiya and Anthony Moloisane will battle it out for the vacant ABU junior lightweight title tomorrow.
Adversaries Matshidiso Mokebisi from Kroonstad and Bukuiwe Nonina from the Eastern Cape will also feature in a grudge fight. They fought last month and Mokebisi defeated Nonina on points over eight rounds for the Gauteng junior welterweight female title at Turffontein Racecourse in Johannesburg.
“It feels good really to be doing something else,” said Mabuya, who was a judge for 15 years before venturing into time-keeping, where he spent nine years.
“It’s tough with the coronavirus being here and making things difficult but I am banking on the office of BSA to assist,” he noted.
Dube, a former boxing promoter under the banner of New Generation KZN Promotion, is already dealing with the bio-bubble issues for Ludonga Boxing Promotion, owned by promoter Thulani Magudulela.
Magudulela will stage an international tournament in KwaNongoma on December 19 where two WBF title fights will be up for grabs. Ayanda Mthembu will oppose Ibrahim Tamba from Tanzania for the vacant All Africa middleweight belt while Khumbulani Mdletshe will welcome Habibu Pengo, also from Tanzania, for the international welterweight title.
A day later, Dube will be in charge of Tono Promotions’ tournament in Durban, where Nokwanda Mbatha’s tournament will see Moruti Mthalane making the fourth defence of
his IBF flyweight title against Jayson Mama from the Philippines. This will be the IBF’s first title fight ever in KwaZulu-Natal and also Mthalane’s first defence of the belt at home.
“I’ve been thrown into the deep end but BSA has put up a plan to assist me. I am ready. I’ve been on the opposite side [promoter] but this time I am wearing a different cap and I am excited. What makes it even more exciting is that I know Moruti personally,” said Dube.
