04 Mar 2019

The 3rd inter-club tournament hosted by Prisons Boxing Club turned out to be a thriller despite low spectator turnout.

However, the tournament drew an impressive crowd of young and upcoming boxers who were keen to impress national team selectors and earn a call up. Others honoured the tournament to rebuild physical strength after a long lay-off from injuries.

Renowned for unearthing talent, the tournament lived up to expectations from the first bout that pitted Jessica Maotoanong against Gosego Baoki in the ladies 48kg division.

The more experienced Baoki had a field day in the ring, landing heavy punches on the less experienced opponent, who however, demonstrated resilience and pushed the fight to the last round.

Baoki recorded the first victory for Mafika Boxing Club with a 3-0 win against Maotoanong.

Keamogetse Kenosi and Aratwa Kesemang then took the stage in the 60kg division.

Although they were equally matched in body structure, Kenosi used her longer reach to keep her opponent at bay with jabs that scored her valuable points, and it resulted in all the four judges ruling 3-0 in her favour.

Blows flew thick and fast in the 56kg division that pitted Rajab Mahommed of Mafika Boxing Club and Tefo Maitewa of TAB Boxing Club.

The two were teammates and sparing partners at the last Commonwealth Games with Tefo being Rajab’s understudy.

Fresh from representing the country and winning a silver medal in Hungary, Rajab entered the ring as the crowd favourite, but it was Tefo who demonstrated more aggression, and the judges waved in favour of the underdog in the fiercely contested bout that ended 2-1.

Rivalry was relived in the 64kg division as traditional foes Kabo Seitshiro went blow for blow with Mmopiemang Pitso of Tsholofelo Boxing Club.

Seitshiro continued with his fine form and narrowly beat his opponent 2-1. Ends