The Steve Tshwete Boxing Series, highly anticipated by boxing fans, will officially launch in Mpumalanga on November 21 and 22. This decision was made by Boxing South Africa due to logistical reasons. The series was initially expected to kick off in KuGompo City, Eastern Cape, but the launch venue was shifted to Mpumalanga. The Eastern Cape, however, will host the grand finale of the series in March 2027.
The series will feature 48 boxers from four provinces, including amateur talent from Sanabo, focusing on Olympic weight divisions. The tournament will adopt an elimination format, where boxers will compete in a series of matches, and losing boxers will be eliminated. This format is a change from the initially planned league format. The Department of Sport, Arts and Culture has allocated R1m per province to assist with tournament staging and development initiatives.
Phakamile Jacobs, BSA-Eastern Cape manager, confirmed that the Eastern Cape will host the finals in March 2027, with KuGompo City targeted as the venue. Jacobs expressed excitement about hosting the finals, stating that the province is a boxing hotbed. The series will include amateur boxers under the SA National Amateur Boxing Organisation (Sanabo) umbrella, with a focus on development promoters who are yet to make their mark in the promotion business.
The series will accommodate boxers with a maximum of three fights, with an emphasis on development promoters and ring officials. BSA chief executive Tsholofelo Lejaka stated that the series will serve as an apprenticeship for developing licensees. Sanabo will focus on Olympic divisions, using the series as part of the Olympic preparations. The structure will contribute 10 boxers per province to the series.
Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie had previously expressed support for KuGompo City as the launch venue, but ultimately, the decision was made to host the launch in Mpumalanga. The province housing the namesake municipality, Steve Tshwete Municipality, will host the series launch. KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng are also part of the four provinces hosting the series.
The Department of Sport, Arts and Culture has advanced R1m to each province to cater for the tournaments. BSA is expected to decide on the boxers' purses together with selected promoters. Sanabo's boxers will receive prizes on completion of the series, following an amateur model adopted by the International Boxing Association (IBA).
The Steve Tshwete Boxing Series is a significant event for South African boxing, with a focus on development and Olympic preparations. The series will feature boxers in various weight divisions, including mini-flyweight, flyweight, and bantamweight divisions. The event is expected to provide a platform for emerging boxers and promoters to showcase their skills.
Key points
- Mpumalanga to host Steve Tshwete Boxing Series launch in November
- Eastern Cape to host grand finale in March 2027
- Series to feature 48 boxers from four provinces
