The disappointing exit from the WBC Grand Prix Series in Saudi Arabia by three local boxers has been handled with a level-headed and stoical attitude by Boxing SA CEO Tsholofelo Lejaka.
Bheki “Doctor Sleep” Maitse, Ntethelelo “Baby G” Nkosi and Keaton “The Destroyer” Gomes lost their fights in the semifinals in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Sunday evening.
Featherweight Maitse and junior-welterweight Nkosi were knocked out in round five and six, respectively.
Gomes lost by a split points decision to Ahmed Krjnjic – a kick-boxer from Bosnia, who’s twice his size – after a closely contested heavyweight six-rounder.
Lejaka, who watched the contest, which was streamed live by DAZN, quoted Charles Dickens, the author of A tale of two Cities, who wrote: “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times...” He said this was probably the best way to describe Sunday evening, and how the events went down for SA boxers.
“On the best of times, it was an exhilarating moment to witness three of our boxers battling it out on one of boxing’s greatest stage, the semifinals of the WBC Boxing Grand Prix,” he said.
“We must never forget that for these three fighters to make it to the semifinals, they each had to make it past three formidable opponents whose dreams they dashed along the way.”
Trained by Peter Smith – a former heavyweight campaigner nicknamed “The Sniper” – Gomes won all his fights by knockouts.
“On the worst of times, it was unfortunately our turn to have our dreams dashed. It was painful to see our boys falling short of making it past the semifinals to earn a spot in the finals,” said Lejaka.
“As our boys are now bowing out of this series, they can surely do so with their chins high and chests up. They represented us well and did us proud.”
The series involved 128 boxers from over 40 countries. The series featured four weight divisions − featherweight, junior-welterweight, middleweight and heavyweight.
It began in April, and the finals will be in December.
Winners in all four weight classes will each pocket over R4m, and will also earn the automatic rights to challenge for WBC Silver world titles.
Lejaka said they were proud of the fight the trio put up on world stage. “The world has surely taken notice of our talent,” he said.
“We might not have won the ultimate Grand Prix prize, but we have won the hearts of many boxing fans across the world. We say well done to our boys and their respective camps. The world is now your oyster.”
Sowetan
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.