The 4th Free Palestine Boxing Tournament which was hosted by the Embassy of the State of Palestine in solidarity with Palestine took place recently.
The local boxing club ABC Boxing Camp under the leadership of boxing promoter, judge and trainer Paul ‘Sika’ Tshehla partnered with the embassy and eMalahleni Local Municipality’s DCSR to host the event.
The event took place at the Lynnville Hall on Saturday, September 21.
“In the past the event has been hosted in Soweto since its inception three years ago. It’s an honour for us at ABC Boxing Camp to host an event of this magnitude. Our own legend and former Transvaal light weight champion and former South African super lightweight champion Lawrence ‘Super Bad’ Ngobeni attended the tournament with other boxing greats,” said Tshehla.
Executive mayor Cllr Linah Malatjie saluted the boxers and thanked the Embassy of the State of Palestine for bringing the tournament to eMalahleni.
She said in the past eMalahleni produced boxing greats like Tshehla, Ngobeni, Anthony Tshehla, Tsepho Mashego, Tiger Floor and many others while in soccer we had Thomas ‘Junior’ Ngobe, Dumi Ngobe, Cyprian ‘Mahala’ Maimane, Frank Makua, Alex ‘Excellent’ Mabuza and recently Percy Tau and Innocent Maela.
She added to say sports can be used to unify people and normalise a country.
She also paid a special salute and a moment of silence was observed for the late Leighandre ‘Baby Lee’ Jagels who died recently.
She confirmed that the community of eMalahleni will always support the people of Palestine.
Mr Hassona Aldramly representing the Embassy of the State of Palestine said the people of Palestine believe that sport can free people and that they want to free themselves through sports.
The results of the tournament were as follows:
Tota Khoetsa beat Senzo Mahlangu on points, Motheo Kgothiane beat Zwelibanzi Mabunda on points, Luvuyo Moswane beat Philane Marapira when the fight was stopped in the first round, Kgotso Phala beat Ntondo Mahlangu on points, Itumeleng Mokakane won on points against Neo Motumi, Kamogelo Kulube beat Mbongeni Masina on points, Sifiso Kgabo won on points against Ntokozo Matshia, Karabo Mabena won on points against Mkhanyiseni Sibunzi, Avelo Godlo beat Gift Pheko on points and Sicelo Nkosi beat Thabiso Mashego in the tenth bout.
In the eleventh bout Ashley Joseph beat Samkelo Myobisi in the first round, Thabiso Lekwane won on points against Ipfi Ranwashe, Thabani Masuku won on points against Siphamandla Ndlangamandla, Ayanda Radebe beat Sanele Ndimande on points, Mandla Sigogo won after the fight was stopped in the second round against Sameri Macheti, Zuzumuzi Mthethwa won when the fight was stopped in the first round against Lefa Dladla, Thabiso Makua won against Xilile Ndlovu, Jimmy Tshehla beat Andile Kraga on points, Thabang Thebeng beat Sainty Mathole on points, Lesogo Kgosi won on points against Thabang Khukhutsa in the twentieth bout of the tournament.
Thando Mthembu beat Vusi Mashego on points, Thembeka Somtshwewu of Sasol Boxing Club beat Zanele Masilela of Rakwena Boxing Club in the youth girls 52 kg bout, Sanele Hlatshwayo beat Karabo Rantsing on points, Anathi Mateisi beat Simon Moeti on points, Nthuthuko Msibi beat Gomatos Masondo on points, Tebogo Mabitjane won after the fight was stopped in the second round against Thabiso Tshabalala.
In the elite men 56 kg weight division Lebogang Nkambule beat Thabiso Mokofane on points, Nkanyiso Dumzela won on points against Sabelo Lukhele, Simphiwe Phetla won on points against Kagiso Mobogoane, Manqoba Magubane beat Thulani Nxele on points, Siphamandla Msibi won in the first round against Mpho Motha, Kgothatso Thwala beat Denzel Soopreyan on points, Sizwe Nkosi had his fight stopped in the first round against Sifiso Mkhonza and in the last bout Khaya Gebuza won against Viendah Mathebula.
Team Soweto had eight wins, 11 loses in 19 bouts, Sasol Boxing Club had seven wins, five loses in 12 bouts, ABC Boxing Camp had six wins, six loses in 12 bouts, Daantjie Boxing Club had five wins in five bouts, Home Style Boxing Club had four wins, two loses in six bouts, Doorinkop Boxing Club had three wins and six loses in nine bouts, Rakwena Boxing Club had two loses in two bouts, while Karabo Boxing Club had two loses in two bouts.
The winning boxers were presented with gold medals while losers were presented with silver medals.
The best schoolboys boxer of the tournament was Itumeleng Mogakane of ABC Boxing Camp, The best junior boxer of the tournament was Avela Godlo of Home Style Boxing Club and Tebogo Moditjane of Team Soweto was named the best youth boxer of the tournament.
Eight boxing clubs took part in the tournament.
