Tourney to end Boxing Mecca debate in Mzansi

The vigorous debate over which province, Gauteng or the Eastern Cape, is the “Mecca of Boxing” will finally be resolved inside the roped square.

Ace Ncobo, the general manager of the Soccer Premier League, made this announcement yesterday in his capacity as the chair of the National Boxing Championship.

The new consortium in local boxing introduced itself with an impeccably organised seven-bout development event at Arena Holdings headquarters in Parktown, Johannesburg, on Friday evening.

Anney Xala was the promoter.

Ncobo said instead of relying on arguments and opinions, the Boxing Mecca title will settle the debate in the most fitting way possible – in the boxing ring.

“The Boxing Mecca title events is a groundbreaking, two-leg boxing tournament designed to settle the debate over which province, Gauteng or the Eastern Cape, is the true Mecca of Boxing in South Africa,” he said, adding that the first leg will take place on the last Friday of May and the second leg on the last Friday of June. “The host province of the first leg will alternate between Gauteng and Eastern Cape each year.”

It will feature five weight divisions (mini flyweight, flyweight, bantamweight, junior lightweight and lightweight).

“Provincial champions or the highest ranking boxer in the division from Gauteng and the Eastern Cape will compete in each weight division,” added Ncobo.

“A special application for concession will be made to Boxing SA to accommodate the 50-round tournament, exceeding the usual maximum of 44 rounds. The Boxing Mecca belt will be awarded annually to the winning province.

“The belt will float annually, with the winning province holding the title until the next year’s tournament.”

Ncobo’s announcement comes just as the boxing fraternity, especially those who graced NBC’s maiden tourney at the Arena Holdings’ building on Friday evening, were still trying to come to terms with such an impressive tournament which was streamed by Arena on its Viva Nation TV platform from 7pm.