Mohammed, Kasemang Book Tickets To Hungary

Calistus Kolantsho | Monday February 4, 2019 15:54

 

The duo competed in the Botswana Boxing Association (BoBA) inter club championship that was held at University of Botswana on Saturday.

Mohammed was up against Gillian Ditshwene of Prisons in a bout that was stopped in the third round due to an injury.

The ring side medical doctor had to stop the bout after Ditshwene suffered a cut on the forehead after colliding with his opponent. Mohammed fights in the 52kg category, but on this occasion he was battling against a 66kg opponent. 

Mohammed, who is a southpaw, started the bout by landing quick blows on Ditshwene. The Prisons boxer proved he was no walkover as he showed no respect to his opponent.

Before the bout was stopped, the two boxers were showing that they still had stamina to go far.

Kasemang also had an easy day in the office as she came from behind to pick a win against Nametsegang Bakgaba.

Kasemang had to deal with flying punches from her opponents who was not willing to give her room to breathe as soon as the bout started.

In another women’s bout, Lathabo Modukanele (UB) had an electrifying challenge from Jennifer Sechi (BMC).

The youngster did not show Modukanele any respect the entire bout. Modukanele had to dig deep and use her experience to stop her opponent.

Speaking to Sport Monitor, national team coach, Lechezani Luza said the competition that they are attending attracts countries from Europe and Asia. “Mohammed competed in the 66kg category and it was deliberate and we wanted him to get good competition. Kasemang also stopped her opponent from Mafika,” he said.

“It is the first time that BoBA is sending a team to that competition. The training period was enough because everybody is from festive break and is not an excuse.”

Luza said they are using the competition to prepare for Zone IV, Africa championship and Olympic qualifiers. For his part, Mohammed said he was impressed with the way he competed adding that his opponent gave him a good fight.

“Unfortunately we did not finish the bout, but I had wanted to go all out. I am ready for Hungary even though I did not have enough training time. Today I displayed everything that I was taught at training being to pick opponent mistakes and controlling the bout,” he said.

Regarding the head butt, Mohammed said that has always been his weakness and in some instances he injures himself. He said as a way of preventing injuries, he would apply Vaseline on his face.

“My opponent realised that I was scoring him and he tried to be aggressive in order to score. As I was dodging, we collided. That is how he cut his forehead,” he said.    

The annual Istvan Bocskai International Boxing Memorial Competition takes place from February 6- 9.