15 Aug 2017

About 13 boxing clubs converged on the Botswana Defence Force (BDF) Donga Camp on Saturday to battle at the Botswana Boxing Association (BOBA) interclub tournament.

The tournament, which was hosted by Francistown Boxing Club, did not disappoint as boxing lovers witnessed a series of bouts where boxers’ rained blows on each other from the afternoon till late evening.

One of the first bouts saw an exciting exchange of blows between Keeme Chitema of Francistown Boxing Club and Kgosiitsile Kenosi.

Kenosi initially gave Chitema a torrid time, but the Francistown boxer later found his footing and range, unleashing countless blows  on the heavily built Kenosi to emerge victorious by a 2-1 score.

Female boxers were also there to prove their capabilities in the ring. Keamogetse Kenosi of Diamond Trading Company Botswana (DTCB) boxing club and Nametsegang Makaba of Mafika Club took to the ring.

Although Kenosi emerged victorious and had been tipped to win the bout, Makaba did not go down without a fight in losing 3-1.

The elite category, which featured the 52, 54, 56, 60, 64, 69 and 75 kilograms (kg) boxers, took the bouts to a competitive and intense level.

The first bout in the elite category saw Brian Galelemogwe, who recently won a bronze medal at the Commonwealth Youth Games in Bahamas, easily edge his opponent, Oteng Mosenya in the 75kg bout by 2-1.

Ontlafetse Phane of Eastern Military Garrison (EMG) Boxing Club and Kebone Maano’s bout in the 64kg category was stopped by the referee in the second round.

The last fight of the tournament had everyone standing and cheering as it pitted the best upcoming boxers in Khumalo Chabalula of Thebephatshwa Airbase and hard-hitting Lentswe Zwinila of Glen Valley Boxing Club.

Both boxers showed little respect for each other and no mercy at all, but Zwinila enjoyed an upper hand and eventually won the bout 3-0.

In an interview after the tournament, BOBA public relations officer, Taolo Tlouitsile said that the inter-club tournament was meant to prepare boxers for the national championships in November at a date to be confirmed.

Tlouitsile stated that he was happy with the turn-out despite some clubs, particularly from Kgalagadi and Ghanzi, not making it to Francistown.

He, however, said it was understandable as many boxing clubs were struggling with sponsorship.

Tlouitsile said he overall happy with the tournament as the referees handled all the bouts professionally, and that the tournament ended on time as scheduled. BOPA