World Boxing Entertainment (WBE) president Stephen Castle has described WBE 69 at Lock Stock & Beer in Pineslopes as one of the promotion’s standout nights.

“The level from their side was exceptional,” Castle said of the visiting Namibians, who fielded their full amateur team heading to the Commonwealth Games. “The only one that’s not going there was the older gentleman there, Tony, who fought Collins Stainbank, but he’s working and training with that team. So, yeah, their energy, their level of work, and their boxing skill is obviously extremely high.”

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Castle was particularly impressed by the home side’s performance. “What impressed me the most about last night was the way the SA team, which consists of a lot of, I would say, part-timers. These guys don’t train full-time in the SA team. They’re part-timers, but I think they did a brilliant, brilliant, brilliant job, to stand up and give those guys a good go. They didn’t stand back. They didn’t sit back. They didn’t give up. They went all the rounds. They went all the distance with all those guys, and, at some stages, they even gave them a go.

“It was an exceptional night in terms of boxing talent and boxing skill. I think the crowd was spoiled for that because when the talent was high, it is matched on the other side of the ring. When the talent is raw, it is also matched, where we had the two South African fights.”

Castle highlighted several standout bouts, including the opening contest between Brandon Vorster and Uzair Ebrahim and Jacky Kao versus Justin Brown. The clear highlight, however, was the rematch between Dylan Correia Mestre and Petrus Kotze. “Those two fighters, I mean, their work rate and the work that they did and the talent that they both have was phenomenal.”

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In the main event, local fighter Lwazi Gasa went toe-to-toe with Gebhard Ipinge, Libya’s national champion. “He stood toe-to-toe with that guy and gave as good as he got. So, yeah, it was incredible.”

Early feedback has been glowing. “The feedback that I’ve received already from some of the people, the night was crazy in terms of talent. The fights were incredibly matched. They were brilliant.”

Looking forward, Castle confirmed WBE 70 will feature a major South African title fight. “That’s going to be explosive.”

The promotion, now in its sixth year at Lock Stock & Beer, continues to evolve. Castle encouraged more fans to attend. “Every time people come out and they say it’s their first time they always say they never knew about it and how they love the evening.”

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