Boxing SA notes growth despite challenges

Boxing South Africa is painting a healthier picture of the sport following its mid-term review over the weekend, but admits there are still challenges to overcome such as a lack of sponsorship.

Fighters like Zolani “Last Born” Tete and Hekkie “The Executioner” Budler have won World titles recently, but aren’t getting as much support and recognition as stars in other sporting codes.

Four boxers have also been nominated for the SA Sports Awards, taking place in Bloemfontein on the 11th of November.

Zolani “Last Born” Tete and Hekkie Budler have won World titles recently, but aren’t getting as much support and recognition as stars in other sporting codes.

Boxing South Africa CEO, Tsholofelo Lejaka believes with the achievements of these boxers, the sport should grow from strength to strength.

“Looking back we are comforted by our accomplishments what excited us the most is that there are four new world champions that have emerged who won one of the most prestigious belts, we have sanctioned fifty tournaments in total a cherry on top is that we now have three nominees in the south African sports awards, and Hekkie is scooping two nominees.”

The Ring magazine flyweight champion, Hekkie Budler, says he is inspired by the new strategic plans, but agrees the challenges remain.

“The things we heard it’s encouraging the only problem I have is that they need to be quicker they need to be more of injection of money I have to fight overseas that has to fight overseas for us to make it liable to box,” says Budler.

Boxing South Africa is also in the process of redesigning the country’s National Title Belts which will be launched mid-December.

Meanwhile, the federation will open nominations for the 2018 SA Boxing Awards from December the 1st to 31 January 2019.