Benoni boxer heads to Russia to gain exposure

Benoni Boxer Ripfumelo Noah Chikwambana is currently in Russia for a match that took place on February 1.

Chikwambana fought in an undercard match, which is one of his biggest breaks he has had in his boxing career.

An undercard match carries no title, but is fought by fighters chosen from all over the world in order for them to gain exposure, and be able to fight in other international fights.

This match was fought over six rounds.

Only one judge was in Chikwamban’s favour, and so lost the match 2-1 on split decision.

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Chikwambana, who was born in Nkowankowa, Tzaneen, started his journey to professional boxing at the age of 16 as an amateur.

At the age of 18 he turned professional and kept his stage name, RIP, with a total of nine fights, six of which he won on KOs (knock outs).

It hasn’t been an easy journey, he explained, adding he had several personal and other challenges to overcome.

“Like any other career, you have to always keep on motivating yourself in order to succeed,” said Chikwambana.

Coach Harry Ramogoadi-Manaka, owner of VIP Boxing Academy in Benoni CBD, coach Thabo Ntabanyana, coach at the academy, and Morapeli “Stallion” Khotle, assistant coach and a team of former professional boxers, have all been hard at work offering extra training to Chikwambana.

The VIP Boxing Academy houses amateur and professional boxers, helping them to be their best as professional or aspiring boxers.

“Boxing is at the heart of Benoni and we believe the academy is where all the golden boys and girls are found,”said Amahle Mahlasela, of the academy.

The gym is equipped with state-of-the art equipment for boxers and qualified coaches/trainers on hand.