adminRicky Zililo in Bulawayo
HARARE City Sports Centre will host the Black Fist Independence boxing tournament which will be part of the celebrations to mark the country’s 35th Independence.
The tournament was initially scheduled for Independence Day next Saturday, but has since been moved to May 16 as organisers are still concluding sponsorship deals.
Renowned boxing promoter, Boris Zneider, confirmed the postponement of the “tournament to remember” which will feature foreign boxers.
“We’ve moved the tournament to May 16 because of sponsorship issues. Look, we’ve boxers coming from Botswana, Zambia and Malawi so we have to pay these guys in advance.
“Unfortunately, we’ve had delays in receiving funds from sponsors hence the need to postpone the event. This bill will be a tournament to remember,” said Zneider.
The Black Fist promoter has already sealed deals with boxers who will trade leather at the competition.
Among those who signed contracts are Bulawayo trio — Dumezweni Ntuliki, Lovewell Maphosa and Nowell Mpofu — of Makokoba’s Tshaka Youth Centre.
Mpofu will trade leather in the main bout against Harare’s Wesley Madade. They will fight in an eight-round light-heavyweight bill. Mpofu last fought in 2013, losing to Trevor Mpofu.
Trevor is the 22-year-old boxer who has challenged Zimbabwean champion Thamsanqa “Baby Elephant” Dube.
“I’m looking forward to getting back in the ring and this is a chance for me to prove that I deserve to get more fights. Winning this bill will hopefully open new avenues,” said Mpofu.
Ntuliki and Maphosa will fight against unnamed Botswana opponents in non-title supporting bouts in the lightweight and super bantamweight divisions at the City Sports Centre.
Despite the tournament being moved to May, their trainer Phillip “Striker” Ndlovu says his pugilists will continue with a high-intensity training programme.
“My boxers are ready to fight. They’ve been out of action for a while and want to return in style. Ntuliki and Maphosa have only been training for three weeks but they look sharp.
“Nowell has been at the gym for the last two months preparing for the under-card to Trevor and Dube’s bill.
“Postponing the date gives us more time to work on a few things even though everyone is ready to take to the ring anytime,” said Ndlovu.
Maphosa’s last fight was in 2008 while Ntuliki last stepped in the boxing ring to trade leather with an opponent in 2009.
Online Reporter