Ballito plumber Barry Chapman stars and finishes boxing career undefeated
Despite participating in many sporting events in the past, Chapman said boxing was by far the most physically taxing.
Ballito plumber Barry Chapman swopped his work gloves for boxing gloves last weekend, trying his best to emulate Tap Tap Makhatini’s ring moves.
Chapman traded blows as part of the annual Plumbing Industry Registration Board’s (PIRB) white collar boxing evening, in which representatives of the plumbing industry pit their pugilist skills against one another.
Known as the Champions 4 Charity tournament, the event raises money for a number of charities and underfunded technical colleges countrywide.
Chapman was 1 of 10 amateur fighters entering the ring at the Royal Elephant Hotel in Pretoria on Saturday.
“Each fighter selects a charity to fight for. I chose the Umfolozi TVET College’s Esikhawini campus, a college that I have had an ongoing relationship with.
“I want to raise money for them to buy the latest tools so that students can get a feel for what a real workplace will be like,” said Chapman.
Chapman previously hosted students from the college as part of their work experience programme.
Aside from the charity aspect, Chapman also represented the Institute of Plumbing South Africa (IOPSA) in his bout against PIRB chairman, Lea Smith.
“It was really good fun. Lea and I both put on a good show, tiring ourselves out in the process.”
Despite participating in many sporting events in the past, Chapman said boxing was by far the most physically taxing.
“I have done ultra trail runs, marathons, long distance swimming, lifesaving and endurocross, but boxing, despite the short time it lasts, is by far the most exhausting.”
Chapman claimed victory, and is likely to retire from his boxing career with an undefeated 1-0 record.
Besides the 5 amateur bouts, spectators were also treated to a professional exhibition between Elie ‘El Toro’ Mutoka and James ‘Tiger’ Kanku.
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