The Golden Gloves Foundation is launching Shaya Thursday, a new monthly boxing and youth development platform focused on community upliftment and creating real pathways for young fighters from amateur boxing into the professional ranks.

Launching at Emperors Palace on August 27, Shaya Thursday will take place on the last Thursday of every month, bringing amateur and emerging professional fighters together on one card.

Organisers say the initiative is about more than boxing. Through the Golden Gloves Foundation, young fighters from communities across South Africa will be supported with access to training, coaching, mentorship, competition and development opportunities, using boxing to build discipline, confidence, resilience and purpose.

Foundation director, Nivi Grogor, spoke about the boxing talent in Johannesburg.

“Talent exists in communities, but opportunity does not always reach it, and Shaya Thursday aims to create that opportunity and give young people a fighting chance inside and outside the ring,” said Grogor.

Competing in the community-driven card is Bellavista’s own Ethan ‘The Villain’ Peters, who will be fighting on the launch event as he aims to continue his impressive professional boxing run and keep his unbeaten record intact.

Ethan will face Siyanda Mtethwa in a highly anticipated matchup.

Ethan will look to impose himself and end the fight early as he has done in all of his previous professional bouts.