Seoko Wins Rain Soaked Pro-Bout
Dumisani Ncube | Monday November 23, 2015 10:34
The featherweight bout saw Seoko win by a unanimous decision scoring 38 - 38, 38 - 37 and 40 - 35. Prior to the fight, there was heavy downpour, with water sipping through the venue’s roof and into the ring. However, the fight continued.
Khotle started the first round on the front foot throwing forceful punches while Seoko was on the defensive as he cautiously weighed his opponent.
As the match went on, the boxers upped their game. However, a tactical Seoko let Khotle do the throwing of punches in a bid to tire out the South African. Khotle also came strong as he ducked most blows taking advantage of his shot height to give Seoko jabs on the lower body.
Boxers and the referee kept falling on the slippery stage, which was full of water.
At one point, the referee instructed the boxers to use the dry areas. In the last round, boxers looked tired but they kept punching. Khotle threw effortless punches with Seoko buying time.
In the dying moments, Seoko trapped his opponent on the ropes giving him a number of jabs until the bell rang. He emerged the winner and was elated, but said he learnt not to underestimate his opponent.
“This fight taught me that I must not judge a boxer the moment we jump into the ring,” he said. “My opponent was tough and strong.”
Seoko believed he triumphed because of his tactical moves, which gave him the upper hand, as his opponent was less tactical. The win increases the 26-year-old’s tally of wins to two leaving him with one draw and a loss.
His promoter, Bond Ngubula decried the treatment boxing was receiving.
He said boxing was given little attention because, in Botswana, it was viewed as a violent sport.
He said boxing tournaments have helped financially some young men who had been hitherto unemployed. Such include Seoko and Kgomotso Bok.