The Orient Theatre conundrum has dealt a blow to yet another boxing tournament after Xaba Promotions announced that its Saturday show has been postponed.
The promoter was forced by broadcast partners SuperSport to look for another venue owing to the Orient Theatre’s poor condition which was flagged as a health hazard.
Sports minister Gayton McKenzie promised to fix the venue during his speech at the national boxing convention in East London in February but full-scale work is yet to start.
However, the venue has been hosting other activities such as church events despite concerns over its dilapidated condition.
XP was one of the two promoters set to hold tournaments at the venue this weekend, which were both flagged by the pay channel.
But the Last Born Promotions’ show on Sunday will go ahead after SuperSport declined to televise it.
XP which had just renewed its contract with SuperSport for two years, has been forced to look for another venue, which led to the promoter postponing the show to a date yet to be confirmed.
XB said it was disappointed with the decision to postpone the tournament which was to be headlined by the WBO world youth junior-featherweight title clash between Duncan Village’s Siyabulela Hem against Ghanaian Enoch Tetteh.
“Our broadcast partners took a decision to condemn Orient Theatre as a venue fit to meet certain standards,” it said.
“Concerns have been raised over time by the SuperSport production team and staff and to this extent nothing has changed.”
With the Buffalo City municipality long blamed for the absence of proper venues to host sporting events, XP said it was considering moving the tournament to either Gqeberha or Gauteng.
“The state of the venues currently threatens the very existence of the province as a mecca of boxing and both the heritage and legacy is likely to be obliterated overnight.”
While there is no official word, sources say the tournament will likely be moved to April 20 which is the preferred date by SuperSport.
However, the parties are yet to reach a decision on where the tournament will take place, with the East London International Convention Centre initially earmarked.
The news comes as XP is reeling from the horrific car crash involving its matchmaker, Lwandile “Jazz” Ntsitho, who is said to be in stable condition in an East London hospital.
Daily Dispatch
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