The champion of grassroots boxing development, Mlungisi Siyo, will be back doing what he does best when he organises a tournament in Ginsberg in Qonce on Sunday.
The event is one of the boxing development shows funded by the provincial department of sport, recreation, arts and culture to revive the sport across the province.
And Siyo, who trades under Fireworks Promotions, could not be a more fitting promoter to advance the programme with his penchant for taking tournaments to far-flung areas.
The veteran promoter was the first to bring boxing activity to Ginsberg in August 2022 in his bid to revive the sport in the area, which used to produce luminary boxers.
His show, which saw Xolisile Voyi claiming the Eastern Cape flyweight title with a gritty points decision over Masixole Langa, afforded a slew of boxers from the area and surroundings to showcase their skills in front of their families and friends, who filled the community hall to the rafters.
He continued to spread his shows to other regions such as Ngqushwa, where he staged the successful title defence by provincial mini-flyweight champion Siphesihle Sityo against Luyolo Mbombo in February 2023, and proceeded to Mthatha to pit veteran Luthando Mbumbulwana against rising star Siyabulela Hem in April.
He has now decided to return to Ginsberg to reward its residents for their unwavering support.
“My tournament in Ginsberg was one of the most well-attended and lively events so I decided to go back there and give them another show,” he said.
Siyo’s passion to unearth grassroots talent in remote areas has led to scores of boxers getting the spotlight and no longer needing to relocate to other regions to realise their dreams.
Boxers from surrounding areas such as Phumlani, Kuni village, Mount Coke and Ginsberg are featuring in tournaments, inspiring more youngsters to follow careers in boxing.
“This is pleasing me because I keep saying boxing is not only in Mdantsane and Duncan Village.
“Most of the boxers who fight in those areas actually come from remote areas so we need to go there to provide them with action.”
The eight-bout show will present an interesting scenario when Abelo Tokwe attempts to return the provincial featherweight belt to the All Winners Boxing Club after his stablemate, Yamkela Phaliso, vacated it before his failed challenge to Zolisa Batyi for the SA title in August.
However, Tokwe will have his work cut out to outwit Bongani Fule, who is dropping down from the junior lightweight division to battle for the vacant crown.
Fule relinquished his provincial junior lightweight belt to drop to featherweight, as he felt the division was too heavy for him.
His former junior lightweight title was contested in Mdantsane at the weekend, when Lubabalo Kweyi knocked out Bulelani Ngondeka.
The premedical examination will be held at the department’s offices in East London on Wednesday (11am).
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