McKenzie says plans afoot to bring boxing back to former glory

Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie says plans are afoot to bring boxing back to its former glory. McKenzie is hosting a two-day conference with boxers, referees and promoters in East London in the Eastern Cape, in an effort to revive the sport in the country. He described the current state of boxing in the country as being in the Intensive Care Unit.

The Eastern Cape is known as the Mecca of boxing having produced world champions such as Welcome Ncitha and Vuyani Bungu. However, this prestigious sporting code is slowly losing its popularity. This is due mostly to a lack of exposure and inadequate resources.

“There are no fights. In our days, we would not skip a month, there were lot of promoters and sponsors. We don’t see those sponsors that we used to see when we were fighting in our days and there was no money. We don’t get funds that are supposed to drive the sport of boxing,” says Vuyani Bunguz, former World Champion.

The situation for female boxers is even more concerning.

“There is nothing interesting about being a female boxer in South Africa from sponsorship. from management, promoters, there are few promoters who take interest in female boxing, and we have BSA promising us almost every board that enters they want to change boxing in South Africa but for women there is nothing,” says Bukiwe Nonina, female boxer.

McKenzie has committed to tackling the issues that are faced by the boxing fraternity.

“For promoters who exploit boxers, no more in order, I will never allow a boxer to get into the ring and be paid five thousand, it’s exploitation. I cannot sit back and see people exploiting our boxers.”

Next month, McKenzie will convene a meeting with boxers to further discuss their challenges.