Never mind the result in some of the fights that took place at Booysens Hall on Sunday afternoon, especially the 12-rounder between newly crowned SA featherweight champion Asanda Gingqi and Adbulaziz “Arabian Knight” Kurnet, the truth is that the sport of boxing was the ultimate winner.
The tournament – an eight-bout card evenly matched by Abbey Mnisi – was promoted by the Gauteng Boxing Promoters Association.
All boxers in the line-up displayed honest endeavour in the ring, which would have had fans on their toes from start to finish. Even those boxers who lost their fights – Sabelo Nkosi, Anthony Moloisane, Faraday Mukandila, Mogale Molefe, Bheki Mahlangu, Gift Bholo, Kurnet and Siseko Makeleni – should walk with their heads held high.
Kurnet’s trainer Colin Nathan shared the same sentiment, especially regarding the fight between his charge, who is from Cape Town, and Gingqi from Mdantsane.
“It was great fight and I thought Kurnet boxed exceptionally well and showed that he truly is a great prospect,” he said. “I have requested from BSA the final scoresheet, which is a public document, and thereafter I will take a decision on what to do next. I am absolutely unhappy with the scoring.”
The first two scores were 114-112 for Gingqi and 115-112 for Kurnet, while the third scores was 114-113 for Gingqi, who won by a split decision. He lost two points, which referee Sazi Xamlashe docked for infringements.
“There should have been another point deducted for a deliberate headbutt, which caused a cut to my fighter’s face just above his left eye,” moaned Nathan. His friend, trainer Bernie Pailman, did a magnificent job closing the wound as blood was pouring straight into Kurnet’s eye, making it impossible for him to see his man.
Kurnet said: “I feel in my heart that I won the fight. I will continue pushing hard to fulfil my dream of winning the SA title.”
His wife came down to give Kurnet moral support.
“I spoke to my two-year-old son on a video call after the fight and he said 'daddy, you got hurt' and I told him that I wear my wounds proudly.”
Another fight that produced contentious results was the SA junior-welterweight bout between defending champion Sibusiso “Prince” Dlomo and Siseko Makeleni. Dlomo retained the belt by a split decision. The scores were 113-112 for Domo and 112-113 for the challenger and the decider was 113-112 for Dlomo, who looked not to have done enough to keep the title.
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