21 Jan 2024

Botswana Boxing Association (BoBA) has started the year on a positive note by hosting a successful inter-club tournament on January 20.

Organised by Diamond Boxing Club and sponsored by Auto & Glass, the tournament featured 37 exciting bouts.

The association’s public relations officer, Gaone Motshwanaesi said they managed to host the tournament through the support of efforts of affiliated clubs.

Motshwanaesi said the tournament was not only meant to showcase new talent and grow the sport, but was also used by national team boxers to prepare for upcoming qualifying events in the quest to qualify for the Olympics.

The tournament, which was hosted by Protea/Masa Hotel in Gaborone, lived up to expectations as it showcased experienced and upcoming boxers in both the female and male categories.

In the elite women category there were three bouts. In the 52kg category, Chedza Montse of SSKB Boxing Club defeated Kutlo Mooketsa of Molepolole Boxing Club 5-0.

In the 60kg and 66kg bouts, Trecier Thipe and Otsile Sewela both from SSKB were winners against Dorcus Tlhabologo and Sekheannah Mamood of Diamond and Molepolole Boxing Clubs respectively after the referee stopped the contest in both fights.

The tournament opened with the men’s 48kg bout between Tlhalefang Dipolane of Molepolole and Khumo Sebase of SSKB. Dipolane emerged victorious after the referee stopped the bout.

The two 60kg bouts saw Cho Wong of DTCB and Letlhogonolo Mokgolela of UB Boxing Club suffering heavy 5-0 defeats at the hands of Phenyo Kepese of Eastern Military Garrison Boxing Club in Selebi Phikwe and Simbarashe Chidzambwa of DTCB respectively.

The highlight of the tournament was a fight between national team members, George Molwantwa of BMC and Festus Madiege of UB which was won by Madiege 4-1.

Another exciting encounter was the 54kg bout featuring the experienced Rajab Mahommed of Mafika Boxing Club and the equally talented Cedric Baroma of Tsholofelo Boxing Club.

Despite showing his prowess with swift movements and powerful punches, Mahommed appeared rusty against an equally competent and fearless opponent. The closely contested bout ended with Baroma edging Mahommed 3-2 with three of the five judges giving Baroma the title while two were for Mahommed.

In a post-match interview, Mahommed, who is part of the national team that is in camp, said he was disappointed by the outcome. He said although he never doubted the prowess of his opponent, he was confident of emerging victorious. However, he said his main target was to qualify for the upcoming Olympic Games.

Baroma was elated with his win and said he was not confident that he would win, but that it was a sign that his boxing career was on the right track.

He said winning a closely contested bout against a celebrated boxer would enhance his record as his dream was to get a call-up to the national team. ENDS