Awakening the boxing giant from its slumber
JOBURG - Alexandra’s boxers, bodies and fans will be delighted to know there is a great push towards re-awakening the boxing giant from its deep slumber.
Alexandra’s boxers and boxing fans will be delighted to know there is a great push towards reawakening the boxing giant from its deep slumber.
Sports minister Fikile Mbalula, in conjunction with SABC, the Gauteng Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation Department and Boxing South Africa (BSA), has unveiled the return of boxing coverage on SABC television and radio.
SABC 2 has launched a new boxing magazine programme, The TKO, which will air every Friday night; and once a month, the programme will feature a live boxing tournament.
Gauteng will host a bout on 26 June which will be broadcast live on SABC 2.
“Boxing is a popular sport with a deep-rooted history, a history of triumph over adversity and a heritage that South Africa is proud of,” said Mbalula. “The key idea in the delivery of boxing is to recognise amateur, professional and development boxing across both genders. This announcement is a stepping stone to many of our initiatives that will strengthen the boxing turnaround strategy.
“With an increased visibility, boxing will be able to safeguard the return of the sponsors to the sport.”
SABC chief operations officer, Hlaudi Motsoeneng said, “We have agreed with Razzmatazz [Mbalula’s nickname] to razzmatazz boxing, and this launch, and the coming bout on 26 June, is but one of the many great things to come as we travel this journey together to bring back to life this ailing giant of our sport.”
BSA chairperson, Ntambi Ravele said her organisation was excited about the return of boxing to television screens; while Gauteng MEC for Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation Molebatsi Bopape said the Gauteng government was happy to be in the forefront of this great initiative towards restoring what arguably was one of the most popular sports in the country.
“In its hey-day, boxing played a huge part in promoting and strengthening social cohesion and unity across different communities,” said Bopape.
“We are excited at the prospect of not only placing the sport where it belongs, but more so, at identifying talent and producing more champions from the home of champions – Gauteng.”
