Bagwasi seeks Intern'l recognition

Local boxing lightweight title contender, Kabelo Bagwasi will no longer face Nigerian, Ridwan Oyekola for the World Boxing Federation lightweight world title this August. The Scud Missile Promotions, this week announced major changes in the first world champion title match to be ever held in the country as Bagwasi is set to instead face Said Chino of Tanzania.

Bagwasi commands an impressive record of 8 wins and only 1 loss. According to Thuso ‘Scud’ Khubamang of Scud Missile Promotions, Oyekola (8 wins 1 loss 1 draw) was taken out of contention following a major incident in training. The Nigeria was scheduled to face Bagwasi on August 26th at the University of Botswana Arena in Gaborone. Nevertheless, Chino is expected to be a tough opponent as he commands a record of 18 fights, with nine losses and two draws including 13 KOs.

Addressing audience members and the press in Gaborone at the recent launch of the world title fight week, Khubamang said this will be the first time a local boxer competes for a world title in a fight that is promoted by a Motswana. “This is a vacant world title and the WBF sanctioning body has shown confidence in us to host a world title fight after recently organising lesser title fights in local soil. Professional boxing is currently playing its part and reducing the scourge of unemployment in the country,” Khubamang said.

Khubamang continued: “We need to host 4 or 5 boxing events in a year so that we employ more boxers and we are calling on more sponsors to come on board to help in growing the sport. These boxing event cost a lot of money to organise and we are calling on more government ministries to join our existing sponsors.” Some of the current fight sponsors include Botswana Tourism Organisation, Ministry of Sports, Air Botswana, Coca Cola and Motor &Glass.

"We are asking companies to sponsor individual boxers so that they are able to grow with them." Speaking during the same occasion, Professional Boxing Association of Botswana President, Seroba Binda said they were proud to host a 4th title fight. Binda applauded Scud Missile for their consistency and contribution to professional boxing over the years. “I happen to be one of the professional boxers who came through Scud Missile Promotions earlier on and I managed five straight wins, all by way of knockout." Meanwhile, the reigning WBF Super Featherweight champion,

Moabi Ngaka and the first woman boxer to turn professional in Botswana, Aratwa Kesemang are expected to be in the undercard as supporting bouts against opponents yet to be announced. For his part, the title contender, Steven Bagwasi said he has been preparing for the title fight since last year. ”I am looking forward to becoming the first professional boxing world champion in Botswana. I want to thank my team for the preparation that I have been getting and I am promising Batswana that they will be having a world champion later this year.”

Meanwhile, Scud Missile promotions is expected to host an open sparring activation as part of preparation for the WBF world title fight in Gaborone. The open sparring session will be held at Ledumang Choppies supermarket open parking space.