Bagwasi defends world title ...the next Fight Night edition scheduled for Grand Palm

Celebrated local professional boxer Steven Bagwasi is keen to defend his WBF World Super Featherweight Title Belt against Lunga Setimela of South Africa at the World Boxing Federation World Super Featherweight Title fight this tonight (Friday), at the Grand Palm Hotel in Gaborone. The fight night will be facilitated by Scud Missile Promotions. Bagwasi said preparations to defend the title for the first time have been going well. He comes to this fight after making history last year by becoming the first Motswana to win the WBF world title after defeating a Tanzanian opponent in Gaborone.

“My preparation for this fight started this year January and it has been a rough preparation but now I’m ready for the fight night on Friday and my goal is to keep my title as I have worked hard to get it, so is my commitment to defend it,” Bagwasi said. He said that throughout his preparations he was working on some mistakes that he made during his last bout and mostly working on the game plan for this match. “I have been studying everything I need to know about him for the past six months and I’m confident to say that I am aware of his fighting abilities and came up with techniques to approach him and I am ready for him. I don’t feel any pressure because I have fought tough opponents before and this is just another steppingstone for me,” he said.

He further said that since boxing is his job right now, he spends six days a week at the gym which makes him improve every day and learn new fighting techniques and work on his mental fitness so that he stays in the game longer. “Winning this fight will mean a lot to our professional boxing in Botswana because it will be a sign that we can be better that South Africans in terms of boxing. My team has dedicated a lot into helping me do better on Friday, I therefore appreciate their support,” he noted. Event organisers promise to deliver high quality international standard fights this Friday. The event spokesperson, Nathan Kgabi said the quality of fights under Scud Missile Promotions has always been world class and they won’t fail to deliver.

“This is a very important event for Botswana, SADC and the international boxing fraternity and we are very excited to be hosting this fight, we believe that it will go a long way in exposing Botswana talent and reaffirming the country as a sports stronghold, particularly boxing,” Kgabi stated. He said that the main bout will be between title holder, Steven Bagwasi and Lunga Setimela of South Africa, with other seven bouts. Kgabi explained that WBF, as a reputable global boxing body, is home to some of the world’s most notable boxers, including Evander Holyfield, George Foreman and Claressa Shields who holds a WBF World Title Belt.

“I therefore urge members of the public to embrace the fight and attend in large numbers to give the local lads the much needed morale booster and cheering. Tickets are sold at Spar Stores and Web tickets outlets across the country, at P200 for General and P400 Ringside,” He added. Their sponsors include Gaborone International Convention Centre, Botswana Television, the Grand Palm, Coca Cola, Motor & Glass, BRES, DOLBI Car Rental, and the Ministry of Youth, Gender, Sports and Culture.