Boxing promoter Sfiso Shongwe says it has been difficult for The Walt Disney Africa Company. Their boxing competitions are broadcast live by ESPN Africa, to maintain a level of consistency and quality from month to month. Mr. Shongwe remains steadfast in delivering all 12 events effectively while helping to advance and revive boxing.
Lehlohonolo Ramagole, the provincial manager of Boxing SA in Gauteng, talks highly of the new boxing promoter after getting the first impression from Sifiso Shongwe early this year. Shongwe held his inaugural competition in January 2022 at the EFC Performance Institute in Fourways, Johannesburg. A number of well-known figures from the sporting world attended the competition since it was well organized. Two boxers from Botswana and one from Malawi competed in the international competition. Steven Bagwasi and Kutlwano Ogakeste, both of Gaborone, defeated Prince Ndlovu and Koos Sibiya on points in their non-title contests on that day.
Sibusiso Zingange overcame Phila Mpontshane to claim the SA lightweight championship. Cowin Ray successfully defended his SA super middleweight title against Andile Mntungwa, and Bangile Nyangani upset Loyiso Ngantweni to claim the SA mini flyweight title. Zingange was ousted in May by Lunga Stemela.
Internationally, Tanzanian Halima Vunjabel lost to Malawian Smangele Hadebe in the ABU flyweight final, while Malawian Ellen Simwaka defeated Malawian soldier Ruth Chisale to win the IBF Africa bantamweight title. The national junior welterweight women’s champion also earned the IBF Africa title. In the organization’s 18th event, held in Sandton last month, Congolese Emmany Kalombo defeated Kenyan Rayton Okwiri to win the junior middleweight international championship.
The current flyweight champion Jackson “M3” Chauke will compete against Tanzanian Mustafa Mkupasi on Thursday, July 28, 2022, for the ABU title. The main event of Shongwe’s international tournament will be this match, which pits Xolisani “Nomeva” Ndingeni versus Raymond “Robocop” Yanong of the Philippines in a 10-round non-title bout.
“We are excited to put African boxing in a prominent role while also seeking international growth for established boxers like Ndongeni who have outgrown the local scene,” said Shongwe. “We hope all our audiences will tune in to the latest installment of Africa boxing.”
The eight-round match between Sabelo Ngibinyane and Mzuvukile Magwaca generates a lot of interest. Despite being a hot favorite, skilled Magwaca’s left leg may not have entirely recovered from the shooting at his home in Khayelitsha when he was robbed in 2018.
After going nearly four years without playing, he returned in April and defeated Sanele Maduna, who was eliminated in the second round, with ease. The awkwardness of Ngebinyane, a tough fighter, will make Magwaca work.
“We’ve met all the requirements by Boxing SA. That also demonstrates that we are working within the regulations, from a Boxing SA perspective, Gauteng provincial manager Lehlohonolo Ramagole has been outstanding in discharging his duties and is always willing to assist wherever and whenever he is asked to,” said Shongwe.
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