GQEBERHA boxer, Durandt Verwey, became the new Eastern Cape middle-weight champion, when he defeated Scenery Park boxer, Odwa Gaxa, during their vacant title fight that took place at Babs Madlakane Community Hall in Kariega on Saturday.
The tournament was run by Silindokuhle Boxing Promotions in partnership with the Provincial Department of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture.
The 25-year-old Verwey, whose home supporters rallied behind him, took the fight to Gaxa from the first round to the 10th round. In each round Verwey collected points, as his intention was to win the vacant provincial middle-weight title. The Gqeberha challenger made the duty of the three judges easy as he was ahead with points in each round. Ultimately, Verwey was announced the new Eastern Cape middle-weight champion after he won a unanimous points decision over Odwa Gaxa.
In the main supporting bout over six rounds, in the junior bantam-weight division, the fight between Ayanda Gangqa of Gqeberha and Nwabisile Cholani of Plettenberg Bay was a technical draw, following the head-butt between the two boxers in the first round.
In the only female middle-weight contest over four rounds, the Gqeberha boxer, Lunje Makosi, defeated Zimbabwean boxer, Emily Kabwalo, on unanimous points, in front of the fully packed Babs Madlakane Hall.
Silindokuhle Boxing Promotions promoter, Sibongile Kebe, told PE Express he was very happy because spectators came in large numbers.
“Yes, I am very delighted that the tournament was a huge success. Fans watched the boxing of high standard,” said Kebe. I would like to thank the Provincial Department of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture for making this tournament to be an event of high standard.
“Furthermore, it shows that our boxing is growing leaps and bounds in our province. This is our second tournament after the COVID-19 outbreak.”
Other Silindokuhle Boxing Promotions results:
- Mini-flyweight contest over four rounds: Athanathi Mxoli (Duncan Village) defeated Liyema Bolo (Gqeberha) on majority points’ decision
- Lightweight contest over six rounds: Lubabalo Bokuva (Makhanda/Grahamstown) won on a unanimous points decision over Mbuyiseli Ndukwana (Plettenberg Bay)
- 56,5kg Catchweight over six rounds: Ndikho Nyebe (Mdantsane) won on technical knockout (TKO) in the second round over Thabang Molefi (Plettenberg Bay)
