Boxing tournament impresses
Teichler Rankoa | Monday October 28, 2013 15:05
The bout of the day was between Ookeditse Bobeilwe of SSKB and Lentswe Swinila of Glenn Valley Boxing Club in the middle weight category (75 kilograms). Their physical fitness and tactical skills were very impressive, especially Swinila who entertained the crowd with his quick dance movements.
The two fighters showed no respect for each other from the first whistle. All of the rounds were a close contest. Swinila's eventual win was narrow, edging Bobeilwe by two points to one.
Another exciting bout was in the bantam weight category (52 kg) between Olaotse Rannobe of Thebephatshwa Air Base Boxing Club (TAB) and Tefo Rammupudu of University of Botswana Boxing Club (UB).
Rannobe, who went into the ring as an underdog, managed to hold his opponent until the last round of the fight. Although Rammupudu won by points (2-1), Rannobe won the last round by clobbering him into a corner.
Women champion, Pearl Morake of Botho University College, beat a hapless Bonolo Motseothata of Prisons Boxing Club in the welter weight category (69 kg) by three points to zero. Still in the women category, Tshepang Moilwa of SSKB defeated Kemoneilwe Tau of Thebephatshwa by three points to zero in the light welter weight category (64kg).
The light weight category (60kg) bout between Thabang Mosesane of BMC and Bokamoso Molaodi of Francistown had to be stopped before the end of the third round after the latter turned his opponent into a punching bag.
The uncompromising Molaodi attacked Mosesane from the first whistle of the first round and it became evident that he was going to emerge victorious through a TKO or a referee's stopped contest decision. Mosesane was very lucky to reach the third and last round of the bout. He found himself on his knees many times because of the powerful punches he received to the head.
It was in the third round that Molaodi sent a clear message with a right jab that went straight to Mosesane's face. Many hooks, jabs and uppercuts followed.
When referee Gaolefufa Othamile saw Mosesane staggering, he halted the game. Bouts between Junior Moeti of Prisons and Kabelo Molefe of UB, Onkarabile Mothibedi of SSKB and Ofentse Sentle of BMC, Nelson Kavari of TBA and David Gakewaope of SSKB and Monthusi Wetshootsile of TAB were also won on the referee's stopped contest decision.
Bouts between Bontshetse Kutlwano of Botho and Monthusi Moitoi of UB, as well as that of Mmusi Tswiige of Prisons and Mogomotsi Sesupo of BMC were won by Kutlwano and Tswiige respectively after their opponents were disqualified for misconduct and using double bandages on their hands.
The BBA Secretary General Dirang Thipe said although there were signs of rustiness, with some clubs failing to participate at the tournament, he was impressed with the performance of the boxers. He expressed hope that coaches have identified boxers' weaknesses to prepare them for the next tournament.
He said that they organised the tournament to prepare boxers for the Best of the Best Tournament that is scheduled for 30 November to 1 December 2013.