Bond boxing thrills

Botswana professional boxing has finally come to age following a successful card hosted by Bond Boxing Promotions this past weekend. After over five years in the making local pro boxing is now making waves in the region. The black-tie box and dine event that attracted multitudes of spectators at Boipuso Hall was hailed as one of the most successful independent fight cards ever held in the country. The success of the event comes at a time when the Botswana National Sports Commission (BNSC) finally accepted the Professional Boxing Association of Botswana (PBAB) as an affiliate. The fight action was edge of the seat as almost all of the five bouts left multitudes of spectators begging for more.

The main bout featured Botswana Junior welterweight Tshepiso Mokgadi who went toe to toe with Namibian opponent Hamutenya. The six-round war did not disappoint as the two warriors closed the show in epic style. In his fifth fight of the evening the 27-year-old slugger quickly proved that he had prepared for war. However, Hamutenya did not take a step backwards as he consistently mounted pressure on his much shorter opponent. The Namibian’s height advantage was apparent in the earlier rounds.

However, Mokgadi quickly adjusted and caught the Namibian with impressive counter punches. However, Mokgadi’s supporters were left disappointed when the three judges saw the action packed main feature as a draw. Nevertheless, the Bond boxing stable boxers proved that it is ready for bigger and better things. The fourth fight saw Thabiso Mpolokeng easily defeating local opponent Onkarabile Mothibedi in a super bantamweight bout. Earlier in the night local novice Moabi Ngaka from D Scud boxing stable beat the more experienced Tshepo Khutloeng in another super bantamweight scuffle. Meanwhile, another Bond Boxing regular Tefo Letshikgwane lost to Timotheus Shuulula after an action packed six rounders.

Letshikgwane who compensates his lack of power with speed, and crafty defence found his hands full as the Namibian set numerous traps in the ring. In an interview this week, boxing promoter Bond Ngubula said there were signs of growth in professional boxing. “We cannot remain stagnant, the weekend card attracted the biggest turn out of supporters we have ever seen,” he said. Ngubula said he planned to organise another tournament in five to six months. However, Ngubula said they are far from hosting an African championship card as sponsorship remains hard to get by. “Bond boxing gym is the biggest sponsor, having finance 70 percent of the event.” Ngubula said some of the sponsors included Bokone Reticulation and Electrical Services(BRES), Trador Cash and Carry, LEGIGO, Connection Car Rental and Fairgrounds.