A boxing tournament with a socioeconomic impact will punch off at the Mdantsane taxi rank on Saturday in a quest to unearth the next generation of boxing stars.
Dubbed “Knuckle Day”, the event will be staged in conjunction with several programmes aimed at raising awareness in the community about social ills such as drinking and substance abuse, while also educating pensioners about their cash.
It will form the first leg of events at regional level featuring 25 bouts involving amateur boxers in Mdantsane, with the winners qualifying for the district championships at a later date.
Organised by the Mpucuko boxing club — a breakaway club from the world-renowned Eyethu — the event will also feature female boxers in a day of fistic sport to remember.
“We have decided to use the event as a platform for other community programmes after forming partnerships with several companies and government departments,” Mpucuko boss Ncedo Cecane said.
A former SA flyweight champion, Cecane has seamlessly transitioned into a successful boxing trainer who has unearthed a plethora of talented fighters, mostly from his Sada area, and moulded them into championship material at Mpucuko.
The club is home to amateur boxing star Tisetso Matikinca, who recently won a gold medal at the Zone Four championships in Mozambique.
In organising the event, Cecane wants to unearth other Matikincas while providing a platform for community-based programmes.
“We cannot pretend that boxing is operating in an island because these youngsters are part of the community and they are also caught up in these social ills.
“Hence we need to combine our tournaments with these programmes,” he said.
The Eastern Cape Liquor Board and provincial health department will run various awareness programmes at the event, which will also be supported by companies including cellphone giant MTN, which will run competitions.
The Liquor Board’s programmes will focus on educating youngsters about the dangers of alcohol consumption in light of the Enyobeni tavern tragedy in Scenery Park in June 2022.
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