27 Nov 2017

Moshupa boxer, Mmoloki Thipe is the 60 kg boxing champion, after defeating Tsholofelo Boxing Club boxer, Kefentse Molalapata 3-0 during the Botswana Boxing Association (BoBA) championship tournament held at the University of Botswana on November 25.

Thipe proved that his win against Molalapata, a month ago was not a fluke, ensuring a second lightning on his opponent, teaching the decorated boxer some boxing lessons during their bout.

Both boxers came into the fight with confidence in the event attacking each other from the first bell.

But it was clear that Thipe wanted to prove his case against Molalapata as he attacked him in the event using a jab to check him, sensing that his opponent had opened up, he used his power to move forward using more jabs, so as to come close and utilise his right hand, which proved to be too hard for Molalapata to handle.

In round two, Thipe was just relaxed and his opponent tried to make some moves to at least catch up to what he lost in round one, but his punches were not enough to score points for him.

Although the judges called for a 3-0, it was clear that the last round belonged to Molalapata who used his speed and attacks that landed well on his opponent.

However, Thipe said in an interview that the bout was tough, adding that he then realised that his opponent could not handle his power, and he capitalised on that.

“I used my power effectively, and it worked for me. Remember in my last encounter, after I defeated him, he said the problem he lost was the fact that he did not warm-up properly. So today I had to prove myself,” he said.

Molalapata said he was of the view that he was in control of the bout, and he does not have any idea how the score came to 3-0.

“I think I lost round one because there was a punch which landed heavily on me, and I took a count but the next two rounds, honestly I was leading, and I was using my speed to my advantage and I landed my punches quickly, and moved so that I don’t give him a chance to score points,” he said.

In other bouts in the 69kg category, Mmusi Tswiige of Prisons won 3-0 against Kagiso Ntoi of EMG, a bout between Lentswe Zwinila of Glen Valley and Omphile Shimako of EMG had to be stopped by referee to save the latter who could not handle the veteran boxer on the day.

In the 64kg category, Tsholofelo boxer Pitso Mmopiemang won 3-0 against Kabo Seitshiro of EMG in a mouthwatering bout which kept spectators on their feet through the entire three rounds.

In the 56kg category, BMC boxer George Molwantwa won 2-1 against Treasure Moremi of DTCB, Khumoyame Basupeng of Gantsi won 2-1 against Aviral Bhatnagar of 1-2-5 in the 49kg category, Thebephatswa’s Tefo Maitewa won 3-0 against Joel Kgogobi of BMC.

In the 81kg category, although Oteng Bareeleng of Ghanzi lost 3-0, he gave veteran boxer Zibani Chikanda a very tough match from the first to the last round.

In the ladies’ category in the 60kg class, Aratwa Kasemang of UB won 3-0 against Keamogetse Kenosi of DTCB, Gorata Morwe of Ghanzi beat Gosaitse Nkepe 2-1 of EMG in the 51kg bout, while Beauty Phori of UB won by a walk rule against Rhodah Monna of Glen Valley.

Overall in the men’s team, Tsholofelo boxing team was crowned the 2017 champions with nine points, followed by BMC with nine points but they were separated by a bronze medal, given that Tsholofelo were awarded the first bronze, on position three was EMG with six points.

The 56kg bout between Molwantwa and Moremi was declared as the best bout and Molwantwa was also chosen as the best boxer of the tournament.

In the ladies team, University of Botswana were crowned the champions with eight points, followed by Ghanzi with five points, position three went to DTCB with two points and a bout between Kasemang and Kenosi was chosen as the best bout with Kasemang being declared the 2017 best boxer of the tournament. ENDS