BLOEMFONTEIN -Free State amateur boxers from various clubs are dusting off their gloves – gearing up to trade leather with opponents from Kimberley in the Northern Cape on Saturday in Bloemfontein. They will offer boxing fraternity an explosive day of fight action in a highly anticipated inter-provincial tournament.

This one-day showdown is set to take place at the Bochabela Boxing Arena. The Bloemfontein-based Devil’s Boxing Club plays host to the tournament preceding the national championships. The event features the Cadet division (12 to 14 years), Youth division (17 to 18 years) and Elite division (19 to 40 years).

Both provinces will select the cream of the crop for the national championships. They will step into the ring with the goal of securing wins in the respective divisions, to make the cut for the provincial squads that will compete nationally. The Free State boxing squad will be made up of boxers from four districts: Mangaung, Fezile Dabi, Lejweleputswa, and Thabo Mofutsanyana.

The hosting club will have five debutants in the ring, including Mxolisi Masoetsa, while banking on tried and tested campaigners such as Lehlohonolo Matlakala and Obitshepo “The Champ” Finger, to raise the flag. The two seasoned campaigners won bronze and silver medals both this year and last year at the national championships.
Other experienced fighters on the bill include Oratile Molelekoa and Kgotso Nthama, who will compete in the youth division.

“We are preparing for future competitions and nurturing new fighters through such inter-provincial tournaments. We are calling on the local boxing fraternity to support us on Saturday and to see the youth showcasing their talent,” said Kabi Molatlhoe, trainer-cum-manager of the Devil’s club.

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