Dida Dipheko, a boxing trainer and promoter, has promised to put together an epic boxing fiesta for sports enthusiasts on the West Rand later this month.
Dida, from Team Dida Boxing, a boxing stable based at the Ruimsig Athletics Stadium, is pulling out all the stops as he plans the enthralling boxing tournament which will feature title shots and exciting action from some of the best boxers in the country under the theme ‘Rumble in the Ghetto’.
The event will be held at the Kagiso Memorial and Recreational Centre on 28 October from 5pm.
Dida, who is partnering with Vision View Production for this event, explained why they decided to take the event to the township.
“We want to take boxing to the township because boxing has not been happening there.
We want to create opportunities for the youngsters in the township so that they can be occupied and make money out of the sport,” said Dida, who is currently preparing his boxers for the big clash.
Dida told Northsider that four of his boxers will be competing at the event, with two boxers fighting title matches. “The main bout will be between Thato Captain Charisma Bonokoane, who will be fighting for a vacant World Boxing Federation All Africa (WBA) title against Luthando Mbumbulwane from the Eastern Cape. The main supporting bout will be between Mpho Turbo Seforo, who will be defending his Gauteng light-flyweight title against Thabang Pretty boy Ramagole,” he said.
When Northsider spoke to the boxers, Thato said if he wins the WBA title, he will be the number one boxer in Africa. Going into this match, he made it clear that no one will stand in his way or hinder what has to come to him in the event, although he plans to enjoy himself. “I want to go out there and show them that I’m a good boxer in my own right without a shadow of doubt. It doesn’t matter who thinks or says what about me. This is clearly my time which has been set by God,” he said.
Mpho, who’s been the reigning Gauteng champion since last year after defeating Percy Koolkid Mkhize, said he is well aware of his opponent and aims to retain his title. “I’m well aware of the experienced boxer that I’m up against but my plan is to box the opponent,” he said.
Mpho’s opponent, Thabang, was brought in by Honeydew Fight Club in an attempt to snatch the title from Mpho. However, the duo’s fight was postponed several times, for technical reasons. Thabang, while chatting to the Northsider, said, “I’m not a fighter like Mpho, I’m a boxer and I promise to school and outsmart him. This opportunity will bring me steps closer to being recognised worldwide and open doors in international competition”.
Meanwhile, Mpho added that if he wins, he will start pursuing a challenge for the South African title.
Two other promising boxers, Fernando and Frank Rodriguez, who are also under Dida’s wing, will also compete for points against two local fighters.
Fernando, who has only fought two fights under Dida’s leadership, will be fighting Wynand Mulder from Krugersdorp in a match scheduled for eight rounds. Frank, who has two Technical Knockout victories under his belt, said he’s aiming for another victory.
A determined Dida concluded by saying that he feels sorry for his boxers’ opponents as he has trained his boys very well.
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