The Daily Dispatch E-Edition

Celebrity bout proves a boost for boxing

Seeing a packed Orient Theatre cheering during a boxing tournament-cum music festival last weekend left even the naysayers convinced that fusing these forms of entertainment is just what the sport needs to flourish.

The event was dominated by the celebrity bout between radio presenter Mafa Bavuma and gospel singer Bethusile Mcinga.

That the two are not professional boxers did not dampen the spirit of the spectators.

Instead the vibe was electrifying, with the crowd erupting into song to underline its appreciation of what was playing out in the ring.

There were other forms of entertainment such as music performances by the likes of popular artist Berita.

No wonder Boxing SA director of operations Mandla Ntlanganiso raced to sharewith the Dispatch reporter his enthusiasm.

“This is exactly what boxing needs,” he said. “Never mind what is happening in the ring, you can see how happy these people are and if you look closely they are not the hard-core regular boxing fans.

“Boxing needs to tap into these other forms of entertainment to breathe life into the game.”

Not only were the spectators enjoying the occasion, but they were allowed to bring in their beers, something which has been taboo in boxing tournaments.

We have often lamented the failure of boxing to embrace other forms of entertainment, opting to adopt a conservative stance to keep the sport for purists.

When a big tournament is hosted either at Orient Theatre or East London ICC just a few metres away some patrons, many of them also boxing fans, are seen crammed into Ebuhlanti indulging in drinks and braais.

And we often wonder if there is no way these patrons could be brought to the boxing match with their drinks and braais.

Other sporting codes such as rugby and cricket have long embraced this practice of allowing the fans to enjoy their drinks at tournaments.

With a slew of celebrity bouts coming thick and fast as Cassper Nyovest, who first spearheaded the innovation, will have his third fight when he takes on Priddly Ugly in Pretoria on Saturday, BSA needs to quickly amend its regulations to accommodate them.

At present celebrity bouts are contested under amateur regulations and that is where disaster could strike as BSA would distance itself should anything go wrong.

The regulatory body cannot take credit only when things go right and distance itself when all hell breaks loose. As Ntlanganiso promised, the sooner BSA sits down and do something about this the better.

Boxing needs to tap into these other forms of entertainment

Opinion

en-za

2022-10-01T07:00:00.0000000Z

2022-10-01T07:00:00.0000000Z

https://dispatch.pressreader.com/article/281689733694246

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