Innovation, the practical implementation of ideas that result in introducing new goods or services, is required in SA to spice up boxing. This fisticuffs sport needs to be exciting to bring fans back.
Great minds must come together and think out of the box by introducing something new during boxing matches.
This country has done that before with venerable boxing promoter Rodney Berman staging what was possibly the first of its kind – two tournaments on the same day at the same venue at Emperors Palace on June 19 2021.
The first six bouts were categorised as “The Next Generation” because they featured boxers with less than 10 fights. The action began at 2pm and finished at 6pm. Berman’s second six bouts began at 7pm with Ludumo “9mm” Lamati winning the IBO junior-featherweight vacant belt after a bloody 12-rounder with Mexican Jose Martin Estrada Garcia in the main event.
Now, Ayanda Matiti is doing the same this weekend at Vodacom Dome in Midrand on Saturday. The first tournament comprises four and six-rounders only. Most boxers are from the Eastern Cape and Gauteng provinces, with KwaZulu-Natal, Free State, Congo and Zimbabwe each having one boxer. Action will begin at 11am.
Then at 6pm, the East London-based promoter will stage his ninth edition to honour Nelson Mandela as an aspirant boxer.
An international event will be a box-and-dine formation where tables of 10 will be sold with a two-course meal on offer. Asked about the pricing, Matiti said there would be different packages from ringside, middle seats and the hall.
Bongani Magasela
www.sowetanlive.co.za
