03 Feb 2019

Fists flew thick and fast at the first ever Botswana Boxing Association (BoBA) sanctioned inter-club tournament this year on Saturday.

The tournament, hosted by University of Botswana Boxing Club, drew an impressive crowd of young and upcoming boxers who had shown maturity in the past boxing championships.

As expected, the inaugural BoBA tournament was always going to attract boxers who are battling to reach their physical peak after a long layoff owing to the festive break.

The entertaining 56kg bout between Rajab Mahommed of Mafika club and the entertaining Prisons Boxing Club youngster, Gillian Ditshwene ended with the referee having to stop the contest to save the latter from further damage.

Mahommed threw a couple of straight blows and ended up cracking his opponent just above the left eye.

In another entertaining 56kg bout, Ndawana Nkani had a long trip back to Francistown after being technically knocked off the ring by Prisons’ Phenyo Masole.

A tough bout was witnessed in the 60kg division between the heavily built SSKB boxing clubs’ Nlisi Kgakgamatso and his traditional foe Treasure Moremi from the DTCB boxing stable.

The four judges waved in favour of Moremi in a close contest that ended 2-1 in favour of the latter.

Moremi is fresh from another resounding victory against Kgakgamatso’s teammate, Kefentse Molalapata after beating him through a unanimous decision last year.

Visiting Kabo Seitshiro continued with his fine form when he convinced all the four judges in the 64kg bout against Tsholofelo Boxing Club’s Kitso Mosupiemang.

The referee had to come to Mafika’s Nametsang Makaba’s rescue when he stopped the contest in the female elite 64kg bout against Aratwa Kasemang.

It was a good fitness match for UB Boxing Club’s Kasemang who will today jet off to Hungary on national assignment.

Lethabo Modukanele also forced the referee to end her match against the hapless Sechi Jennifer of BMC in the 52kg bout.

Botswana Boxing Association competitions manager, Gibson Rauwe said they were impressed by the energy displayed by the boxers who graced the first tournament of the year.

He said despite the disappointment of some boxers who were not paired due to lack of opponents they enjoyed top-notch boxing from 67 boxers who turned up for the tournament. Ends