Botswana Boxing Association national championships
| Monday November 16, 2015 11:43
There were some upsets as some national team members failed to qualify for the semi final with the likes of Tefo Rammopudu losing 2-1 to Willox Garethata of Mafika Boxing Club.
Mohammed Otukile, who also stood a good chance of making it to the semi final, lost out due to injury (TKOI). There was an interesting bout between Lentswe Zwinila of Glen Valley Boxing Club and Mogomotsi Sesupo of BMC in the 69kg category.
Zwinila started the first round by landing punches on his opponent. Fighting from the red corner, Sesupo was forced to bend when attacking Zwinila as he was taller.
Zwinila landed a strong right hand on Sesupo’s chick and nearly brought him down. The boxer was able to find his footing with the support of the ropes.
As if that was not enough, Zwinila rained upper cuts on Sesupo forcing him to seek refuge in the corner of the ring. Sesupo could not hold on as he ended up retiring the match.
The other entertaining bout was between Zibane Chikanda of EMG Club against Rodgers Sianga from Francistown Club in the 75kg category. Chikanda started the match with nice hooks and upper cuts that saw his opponent retreating backwards.
He tried fighting back with his blows landing on Chikanda’s guard. The second round started with Sianga trying to come back into the match with some quick punches but that did not change the attitude of his opponent who continued his dominance. As the match continued, Chikanda caught Sianga with a strong right and injured him on the face. It did not take long for Chikanda to win the match with a technical knock out (TKO).
Speaking to Monitor Sport after the match, Chikanda said the bout ended before he could ‘heat’ up.
“I was still warming up but the match ended.
I have fought Sianga before and won. I also realised that my opponent was afraid of me from the word go,” he said.
For his part, Zwinila said he was using his bout as preparation for the semi final against Mmusi Tswiigi next weekend. He said despite the win, he realised he has to increase his speed and reflexes.
Other boxers who made it to the semi final are: Kagiso Bagwasi, Kabelo Bagwasi, Thabiso Mpolokeng, Oteng Phatswe, Mmoloki Thipe, Kutlwano Omaketse and Batsha Motlhabanyi.
It was an interesting bout between Motlhabanyi and Bokamoso Molaodi when it ended up with a draw. Motlhabanyi qualified through individual points.