07 Oct 2019

 Botswana Boxing Association (BoBA) hosted an interclub tournament in Glenvalley on October 5.

BoBA publicity secretary, Taolo Tlouetsile, said they were generally impressed by the competition, something that he said would give the association a better chance of assembling a formidable team for national assignments.

He said the association would close the calendar with the national championships before assembling a team for the closely contested African Olympic qualifiers scheduled for Senegal next year.

Tlouetsile said the technical team would look into the programme and advice the association ahead of the qualifiers.

On Saturday the men’s feather weight division drew attention from the youthful crowd.

Fists flew thick and fast in a skin-tight match between Prisons veteran boxer, Gillian Ditshwene and,Ezekiel Banankoko of Jwaneng.

The fight caught fire from the first whistle with both boxers going toe to toe.

Banankoko threw in decent fists, but Ditshwene who ran out of steam in the last rounds kept on showing neat defensive discipline.

Banankoko breathed a sigh of relief when judges split the decision declared him the winner.

Still in the men’s 56kg  category, Ditlhopho Ramo of Molepolole registered a 3-0 victory against Kabelo Disele.

The hard-hitting George Molwantwa of BMC continued with his impressive performance and a split decision against Bakang Mese of UB boxing club was enough to cap him the winner.

Obakeng Phatsima of Selebi Phikwe-based Eastern Military Garrison trounced Onalemaatla  Disang of Orapa 3-0.

In the 75kg division, Prisons’ Mmusi Tswiige beat Kethabile Machola of Francistown 3-0.

The referee came to the rescue when he stopped the contest between Lebetse Retlhatloleng and Kebadiretse Shimane.

The latter was declared the winner. Nonofo Kitlanang of EMG beat Mopati Gaanamotse of Ghanzi 3-0.  In an interesting 49kg bout, Tsotlhe Mothao won by a slim margin against Emmanuel Mariti. Phemelo Mohammed of Mafika lost 3-0 against Boswell Sebele of New Xade.

Meanwhile, Botswana got off to a disappointing start at women world boxing championships hosted in the city of Ulan-Ude in Russia. Lethabo Modukanele succumbed to

Japanese Risa Nakata’s blows as early as the second round in the women’s light fly division. Botswana’s hope is now pinned on Keamogetse Kenosi and Aratwa Kasemang who are yet to honour their matches. ENDS