07 Jul 2025

The University of Botswana Boxing Club staged a mouthwatering open tournament over the weekend that attracted internationally acclaimed pugilists.

The organising chairperson of the tournament, dubbed UB Open Boxing tournament, Lechedzani ‘Master’ Luza said the meet, which was on its second instalment, aimed to provide a platform for boxers especially emerging talent to compete and gain much needed experience. He said all the boxers performed well and despite participating on home soil, they gained exposure of what international competitive boxing felt like.

He said other boxers from South Africa, Lesotho, Namibia and eSwatini had shown interest to participate but could not make it on time. Luza heaped praises on the visiting Zambian entourage from the Green Eagles boxing club who had a slight edge over the local boxers on the ring.

Veteran Zambian female boxer, Catherine Mwape and hard-hitting elite boxer, Mwengo Mwale were voted best boxers for both women and male bouts respectively. Mwape’s match against Olorato Mokoduwe of Diamond Boxing Club was signaled the best women bout while Mwale’s match against Katlego Keorapetse of Titans Boxing Stable won the admiration of the judges for the best male bout.

However, an explosive battle was witnessed in the men’s flyweight division pitting the resurgent Kago Raokgwathile of 1-2-5 Boxing Club against former national team boxer, Treasure Moremi of Francistown. The last meeting inside the ring for the two was during an interclub tournament in 2019 and Moremi scalped Raokgwathile in judges split decision.

On Sunday afternoon, the latter dusted himself up and buoyed by the recent victories in the national championship and best of the best tournament, Raokgwathile scooped gold through an impressive 4-1 score line. After a slow start in the opening round, Raokgwathile had the better of the early exchanges in the second round with some solid shots.

Moremi did not sit back but threw in a couple of combinations to unsettle his opponent.  At the end of the third and final round, Moremi was visibly tired taking deep breaths and steam running out of his punches. Raokgwathile was determined to press forward and scoop all the maximum points.

In other interesting bouts lined up for the day, Ofentse Kelosiwang of Prisons shocked Eastern Military Garrison’s Thabang Chakalisa in the light fly division. George Molwantwa continued his fine form beating Gaolatlhe James in the featherweight class.  In the women’s light fly Jennifer Sechi outclassed Taylor Bakwadi of Molepolole boxing club. ENDS