The Youth Month tournament is shaping up to be another rousing boxing event after the organisers spiced it up by offering discount tickets three weeks in advance.
And despite the reopening of iconic venue Orient Theatre after renovations, Xaba Promotions (XP) has decided to keep the commemoration show in the Abbotsford Christian Centre, where the promoters opened the church venue to boxing in April.
After the success of the previous show which saw Duncan Village star Siyabulela Hem claim the vacant WBO Youth junior-featherweight crown with a points win over John Zile of Ghana. XP have upped the ante by offering a 10-day ticket discount for people buying them from Monday to June 10.
XP boss Ayanda Matiti said the original R200 tickets had been reduced to R170 for the next 10 days before returning to the normal price.
“Tickets are selling at all Spar supermarket stores, Postnet or online via Ticketpro, so we urge people to exploit this discount and get them now,” he said.
The show will feature the return of world title-bound Landile Ngxeke defending his WBO Intercontinental crown while also vying for the IBF international bantamweight belt against Mexican Eric Gamboa.
Ngxeke’s world route is becoming clearer after WBO champion Yoshiki Takei knocked out Thai challenger Yuttapong Tongdee in one round to retain his title on Wednesday.
Ngxeke is likely to be next in line for the Japanese owing to his third spot or at least be mandated for the title eliminator.
But all will hinge on Gamboa’s bout outcome, with the Mexican having more than a big chance to spoil the Sada-born boxer’s world title aspirations.
Gamboa will come with an impressive 26-win record with just two losses compared with Ngxeke’s 15 with a loss and a draw.
Matiti, who models his boxing shows on historic events, said the tournament would relive the 1976 generation to inspire youth to make a name for themselves.
“We are encouraging everyone to dress in a school uniform to remember the sacrifices of the 1976 generation, which helped shape our lives in several ways,” he said.
“This is more than a boxing event but the commemoration of those before us to shape the political landscape of our country and we want to fuse this with boxing.”
While the Orient Theatre still resonates with boxing shows, the Christian Centre had a night to remember in April, with its seating arrangements and excellent ablution facilities and ample parking space providing a friendly environment for patrons.
Matiti said he would continue staging his tournaments at the church venue for the foreseeable future.
Daily Dispatch
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