Massive boxer withdrawals have led to Sunday’s major boxing tournament in East London being postponed, leaving fighters and fans dejected.
The highly anticipated show at Orient Theatre was to have seen the return of Duncan Village superstar Azinga Fuzile against Filipino Eduardo Mancito in his possible farewell bout before he embarks on a world title quest.
Other bouts would have seen top-rated mini-flyweight contenders Mthokozisi Ngxaka and Thami Luthuli contesting for the vacant SA belt relinquished by Siyakholwa Kuse after his epic victory over Beaven Sibanda at Emperors Palace last weekend.
Matters went pear-shaped when Mancito pulled out after he could not secure a visa on time, forcing organisers to search for a replacement and ultimately settled for less formidable Tanzanian boxer Abdul Juma Kubira.
Mla Tengimfene, whose Last Born Promotions dubbed the event the Southpaw Feast Festival owing to all the bouts being contested by left handed boxers, said Mancito’s visa issue had greatly compromised the event.
“It was the last straw for us because securing another worthy opponent in less than seven days would have minimised the quality of the tournament,” he said.
“We had already been hit by other withdraws, but Mancito issues was the biggest let-down.”
The organisers had already secured a broadcast deal with Supersport to televise the tournament in the possible start of a future partnership.
Asked if the postponement would compromise future relations with the pay channel, Tengimfene said: “We hope not, especially as we have never postponed a tournament before.
“I am busy explaining to them the reasons and I hope they understand.”
He said Fuzile and Ngxaka were gutted by the news, but after reasoning with them they had understood.
“Every boxer who has been preparing for a fight only to be told a few days before that it is no longer taking place will feel aggrieved,” he said.
“Remember, boxers sacrifice a lot for a fight and the last thing they need is to be told it is no longer happening.”
He said the new targeted date was March 30, though Fuzile would no longer be part of the event.
“We are looking to headline it with Ngxaka-Luthuli because Azinga will be busy with his international pursuit.”
Among the boxers who have been affected are Sanele Sogcwayi, who was set to make his professional debut after it was delayed in a Golden Gloves Promotions show in October.
Top-rated bantamweight Lusizo Manzana, who is on quest to get a shot at an SA title after undergoing treatment for a shoulder injury, has also been affected, with Tengimfene citing the withdrawal of his opponent as one the reasons for the postponement.
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