14 clubs to take part in boxing tourney

 

This will be the second tournament that the city plays host to, after the Zimbabwe Amateur Boxing bill which had 40 pugilists trading leather at Manor Hotel at the end of March.

Lobengula Boxing Club’s coach Elington Mutero said that they were expecting to have more bouts since the weekend tournament would be used to select boxers who will represent Zimbabwe in the African Championships in Gaborone, Botswana, from 9-16 June.

“Most boxing tournaments in the past have been at Tshaka and Iminyela. As Lobengula Boxing Club that was formed in 2002, we are very excited to play host to this event. This competition is open to all active provinces and so far we have 14 teams that have confirmed that they will be here.

“Since the competition will be used to select national representatives to compete in Botswana next month, we are anticipating a big turnout,” said Mutero.

The 14 teams that have confirmed are from five provinces, which are Bulawayo, Harare, Matabeleland North, Midlands and Masvingo.

Bulawayo clubs that will send pugilists to trade leather at Lobengula Hall are Tshaka, Sizinda, Nkulumane, Nketa, Lobengula, Young Arts and the army’s One Brigade with Prince  Edward and One Commando and the Zimbabwe National Army coming from Harare.

Gweru, Hwange and Masvingo will send a club each.

Mutero said they were still waiting for Triangle to confirm its participation.

Matabeleland North boxer Philip Mpande who was knocked out by Samson Masiyambumbi of Bulawayo at the Manor Hotel bill will be hoping for a better showing on Saturday.

The other boxers to look out for at the weekend include Matabeleland North’s Sukoluhle Ncube, the Zimbabwe National Army duo of Takesure Kwangwari and Leonard Tsikwa.

The women’s only bout is likely to be between Bulawayo’s Sizalobuhle Dlawuzo and ZNA’s Rosie Mokoena. The last time the two met, Dlawuzo emerged victorious.

Meanwhile, Mutero thanked Revival Motorways for bankrolling the tournament.

“Boxing does not enjoy much corporate support and with the costs of hiring venues soaring, it becomes difficult for clubs to hold tournaments. We are grateful to Revival Motorways who hired Lobengula Hall for us, offered refreshments as well as fuel  and a generator in the event that electricity load shedding hits us,” Mutero said.