Provincial titles renew vigour in SA boxing

The grand introduction of provincial boxing belts will hopefully assist in renewing, growing and transforming the fistic sport in SA to a point where Boxing SA will reintroduce provincial rankings.

Back in the day, boxers had to fight for recognition in their respective provinces first before earning a rating nationally. 

Provincial title fights headlined boxing bills countrywide and those tournaments attracted big crowds. That helped boxers of that era to grow their fan base.

Every fighter who was rated in the top 10 of the national rankings was a potential South African champion.

Credit must go to provincial governments, which made it possible for the introduction of provincial titles. It began in Gauteng and the Eastern Cape followed.

The Western Cape department of sports, arts and culture jointly launched the provincial title with Boxing SA during the regulator’s two-day boxing convention in that province. Western Cape is home to some great fighters of yesteryear, including Bashew “Blue Angel” Sibaca.

Sibaca won the Cape bantamweight title on March 13 1969 and added the SA non-white featherweight belt in 1978 after defeating Sowetan Thomas “Homicide” Sithebe. “Both male and female Western Cape champions will now be crowned with provincial belts,” said BSA chairman Luthando Jack yesterday

“Boxers were equally excited by the launch of the Western Cape title. We also used the opportunity to discuss the future of the sport in this province since boxing is back on SABC.”

Jack paid tribute to the Western Cape government for committing to working hand-in-glove with BSA in taking boxing into greater heights.

“We also had the participation of SA National Amateur Boxing Organisation,” he said. “That is where professional boxing draws talent from.”

Interestingly, Sanabo is nominated for the Federation of the Year award in the SA Sports Awards that will take place at Sun City, North West, on Saturday night.