International boxing feast enjoyed in Mossel Bay

MOSSEL BAY NEWS - Mossel Bay hosted an international boxing event on Saturday, 8 July, presented by Jacky Brice boxing promotions, in conjunction with the World Boxing Federation (WBF) at the Indoor Sports Centre in Sampson Street, Extension 23.

Two title fights took place, one for the World Boxing Federation vacant junior flyweight title and the other, for the Western Cape flyweight title over 10 rounds.

The amateur fights prior to the main event were also a hit.

Supporters braved the cold to be at the Indoor Sports Centre, where young, upcoming talents gave it their best. Local boxing enthusiasts, as well as from as far afield as Cape Town, attended the tournament.

Sanele Mhlungu from KwaZulu-Natal was crowned the WBF light flyweight champion after a winning score of 97-92 and 96-93 from the two judges, Sipho Ndongeni and Elroy Marshal, following a nail-biting 10 rounds. Mhlungu knocked out fellow South African, Lebogang Pilane, of Welkom in the first round, but Pilane recovered, and the battle continued.

Mossel Bay local, Mbulelo Gubula, fought against Zumbonge Nocele from Khayelitsha over 10 rounds in the flyweight division.

Nocele won on points against Gubula.

Ngondeka wins on points

Another local, Bulelani Ngondeka, won on points against Mbuyiseli Ndukwana (Knysna) in the lightweight division over six rounds.

Lwando Mgabi (Cape Town) won by technical knockout in the fifth round against Ayanda Gangqa (Plettenberg Bay) in the junior bantam weight fight over six rounds.

Matthew Geldenhuis (Cape Town) won by technical knockout in the second round against Siyamthanda Sam (Plettenberg Bay) in the welterweight division.

Brice said prior to the tournament that the aim of the event was to promote boxing in the greater Mossel Bay area, certainly one of the positive results of the day.

Deputy mayor, Alderman Cliffie Bayman; town councillor, Alderman Niklaas Booisen, who is the municipal portfolio chair for Community Services; and his director of Community Services, Elize Nel, as well as municipal manager, Colin Puren attended the tournament.

Brice has committed to donating a boxing ring to the community of Mossel Bay, as a sign of appreciation and to further support the cause of boxing development in Mossel Bay.

This gesture has been welcomed by the Nel, especially ahead of the Mossel Bay Sports and Recreation Festival, starting in September.

Mossel Bay Municipality offered logistical support to the event.

From left: Howard Goldberg (president, World Boxing Federation), Colin Puren (municipal manager), Cliffie Bayman (acting Mayor) and Elize Nel (director of Community Services) with the WBF light flyweight belt.