BOXING enthusiasts who have been starved of professional boxing will have to wait a little longer as Big Fish Boxing Promotions have moved international bouts that were set for Bulawayo next month to June. Sukoluhle Mthethwa Sports Reporter
The boxing stable which seeks to promote local boxers and bring international pugilists to fight in the country, was launched by former Zimbabwe International light and middleweight boxing champion Modicai Donga and his partners in Bulawayo last month.
During the launch Donga said a Zambian light heavyweight pugilist Anos Temfuma would trade leather with a local boxer in the main bout of the international bill which will feature three supporting international bouts and two local fights.
The budget for the tournament was set at $35 000.
Donga said plans were underway to host the international bouts.
“The latest information we have is that five boxers will fight outside the country next month. The boxers are Dumezweni Ntuliki, Lovewell Maphosa and Martin Tshuma. I cannot confirm the names of their opponents and the venue now because we are still to get clearance from the Boxing Board of Control.
“We also intend to hold a fundraising dinner to raise funds for the international bouts which will now be staged in June instead of May in Bulawayo. We hope to get support from a number of sponsors who are willing to come on board,” he said.
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Donga explained the reason why they selected the five boxers.
“When Big Fish was launched we said we would start from Bulawayo and then we expand. That is why we are starting with these boxers,” he said.
The boxers will trade leather in the following weight categories — Ntuliki (light welterweight), Maphosa (bantamweight), Tshuma (welterweight) while Ngulube and Sibanda will be in the flyweight category. Bulawayo last had a professional boxing tournament in 2011 at the Large City Hall while the last professional international boxing fights were in 2006.
