07 Mar 2016

Botswana Boxing Association (BoBA) publicity secretary, Kenny Maragana says the third inter-club tournament is the most fascinating as it is played by youthful boxers identified during the Botswana Games held last year December in Francistown.

In an interview at the tournament held at BDF Donga Camp, Maragana said all bouts composed of youthful boxers in the likes of Moabi Ngaka, Ian Puleng, Omogolo Botshelong, Khumoyame Basupang, Kutlwano Ogaketse, Nlisi Kgakgamatso and Boifang Kenaope, among others.

He said having upcoming boxers participate in the tournament was an indication of growth in the sport.

Maragana explained that the tournament was not only a qualifier for the national championships slated for the end of the year, but was also used to improve the standard of boxing in the country. He said inter-club tournaments assist the technical commission to identify areas where coaches need assistance.

The tournament, which had 22 bouts, attracted nine clubs namely; Glen Valley, Prisons, Eastern Military Garrison (EMG), Maun, Diamond Trading Company (DTCB), Sir Seretse Khama Barracks (SSKB), Thebephatshwa (TAB), Francistown and Ghanzi.

It had light flyweights, flyweights, bantamweights, lightweights, light welterweights, welterweights, middleweights and the heavyweights.

In the light flyweight division, Puleng of DTCB and Botsheleng of Prisons both won by points against their opponents, Calvin Modikwa of Glen Valley and Tshiamo Kgweenyane of TAB respectively.

Kgomotso Keteng of Glen Valley won against Khumoyame Basupang of Ghanzi with an unanimous decision while Tebogo Rennie of Francistown won against Modise Molalapata of EMG with a split decision in the flyweight division.

In the bantamweight, Kgakgamatso of DTCB won against Mopati Gaanamotse of Ghanzi with a technical knock-out (TKO) in the first round. Tumelo Ramorathodi of TAB beat Keotshepile Kaorapela of Ghanzi with three points against zero while Nonofo Kitlanang of EMG won against Tshepiso Mojathotse of Ghanzi by two points.

In one of the interesting bouts in the lightweight division, Bokamoso Molaodi of Francistown won with a unanimous decision against Ronald Motswakae of SSKB.

Mompati Kabanjera of Maun and Onkarabile Mothibedi of DTCB each won with three points against David Gakewaope of SSKB and Ditiro Gabriel of Ghanzi respectively. Ogaketse of DTCB beat Mmoloki Thipe of Ghanzi with a TKO in round one.

Kenaope of Francistown and Phillip Mongunda of Maun won against Mothoagae Kananyo of Glen Valley and Robert Motswakae of TAB respectively with TKOs. Ngaka of DTCB beat Basha Motlhane of Prisons with a split decision. Still in the light welterweight division, Lefaso Kebonyekotla of TAB won Travolta Senna of Francistown with three-zero points. The outcome of the fight was a disappointment to Senna as he dominated, but lost points due to a foul.

In the welterweight division, Ofentse Kompone of SSKB and Ronnie Magudu of Thebephatshwa each won with split decisions against Atang Mosenke of Prisons and Oratile Sekukuni of Maun respectively. Aobakwe Terena of TAB and Motlatsi Mokobeng of EMG won three points against zero each against Lesetse Rethatoleng of Ghanzi and Gaefenngwe Bathobasele of Francistown. Khumalo Chabulula of TAB beat Machola Kethabile of Francistown with a TKO.

In the heavyweight division, which is not usual in the country, spectators were left asking for more when Oteng Phatshwe of EMG won against Innocent Chombo of Maun with a TKO in the second round. Throughout the fight, which was the only bout in the division, spectators could hardly rest on their seats. Ends