22 May 2017

Seven Botswana boxers from the Dscud, Prisons and DTCB boxing stables received a standing ovation from the crowd at the Booysen Amateur boxing club after an impressive performance during an invitational international tournament here on Saturday.

The Botswana team travelled to the Gauteng province at the invite of the youthful Johannesburg based club, and also in attendance were neighbouring rival clubs from Lenasia, Randburg and Krugersdorp amongst others.

Hard hitting lightweight boxer, Kutlwano Ogaketse of DTCB boxing club capped what was a glorious afternoon for the visiting boys when he won the best international bout in his encounter with Southern Suburbs boxing club’s Reggie Magashula.

Ogaketse, who is naturally a 60kg fighter, tested the waters when he paired with a 64kg boxer, but scored the same number of points at the end of the third round, but sadly lost after the judges split decision.

In the featherweight division, Nlisi Kgakgamatso convinced all the judges in his bout against Pretoria based Amos Mafiri. Despite his small stature against his heavily built foe Kgakgamatso kept on chasing until the last round when his steam was seemingly out of bounds and relied on the points accumulated in the first two rounds.

Another lightweight fighter, Moabi Ngaka watched in disbelief as the referee waved his opponents hand and offered him an easy victory at the end of the closely contested three rounds tie. Ricardo Malajika, a 2016 Zone IV champion in Angola, was buoyed by a vociferous home crowd and fought Ngaka like a wounded buffalo in the last two rounds.

Kabelo Bagwasi was crowned the winner in the 64kg when he stunned Kempton Park based boxer Calvin Nkhwa in the opening 10 seconds of the first round. He caught him with a lazy hook and finished him instantly. In the 57kg Bame Marumo beat Timothy Moyo after a unanimous decision from the judges.

Speaking on the sidelines of the tournament one of the organisers, Mohamed Bhyat said they were impressed by the level of professionalism from the visiting boxers. He said they were looking forward to a return match during the last weekend of August in Gaborone.

It is not the first time the Botswana and their South African opponents host this tournament. Thebe Setlalekgosi and Thuso Khubamang, who accompanied the team to Johannesburg, were part of the squad that was invited by the Booysen club in 1997. ENDS