Pro boxer disqualified from amateur tourney
Naledi Lemogang | Tuesday March 21, 2017 14:41
Khutswane, who travelled from Selebi-Phikwe for the inter-club tournament held on Saturday, was disappointed after he was told he won’t be able to box.
He said before the tournament, the technical team allowed him at the weigh-in, completed a medical check-up and was paired, which according to the boxer, meant he was eligible.
To his surprise, he was disqualified just before the start of the bout. “Last year, there was a provision that allowed professional boxers to participate at amateur level.
The BoBA has made a clear statement that professional boxers are allowed to participate at amateur level,” Khutswane said.
He said the International Boxing Association has allowed professionals to participate in amateur tournaments. Khutswane noted that last year, a professional boxer from the DTCB Boxing Club was allowed to participate at amateur level.
The 25-year-old said the disqualification has adversely affected him as it has slowed his momentum, with the target being national team selection.
“I am disappointed because I took three weeks to prepare for the fight, which is costly and tiring,” he said. Khutswane’s coach, Kgomotso Gabaikanngwe said BoBA vice president, who is also DTCB team manager allowed their professional boxer last year to participate in the amateur level.
However when they raised a complaint, because they knew that professionals are not allowed in amateur tournaments, they were told that the International Amateur Boxing Association allows professional boxers to take part in amateur tournaments.
“I was shocked over the weekend when my boxer was not allowed to participate in the tourney. I do not know if our leaders do things to their advantage because clubs that are not in Gaborone feel sidelined,” Gabaikanngwe said.
BoBA spokesperson, Kenny Maragana said he could not comment on the matter until he speaks to the “relevant people”.