Debutant boxer shines at inter club tourney
Naledi Lemogang | Tuesday June 27, 2017 15:40
The 22-year-old woman joined boxing this year and on Saturday she fought in her first bout. In the Under-57 kg, Matong faced Orapeleng Ketshametsi of Kgalagadi North Boxing club and the rookie won 3-0.
Matong was in control throughout, starting at high pace and attacking her opponent.
Ketshametsi tried to fight back in the second round but failed to score points. The bout was interesting with both boxers being urged on by the crowd. Ketshametsi, whose fitness level was not up to scratch, said she was not prepared for the bout, with just four days of training before the tournament. “My opponent managed to beat me as I was not training well because I have just recovered from some sickness, therefore I came to test my fitness towards the BoBA Championships,” she said.
Matong, on the other hand, said she enjoyed the fight despite the fact that it was her first. “I have long developed love for boxing, but I never had an opportunity to join the sport until I became a soldier. That is when I got an opportunity to start my boxing career. However, my aim is to see myself representing the country at international level, therefore I will continue training to maintain my fitness,” she said.
In other bouts, Gillian Ditshwene of Prisons Boxing Club was knocked out of the tournament after facing his opponent, Nlisi Kgakgamatso of DTCB Boxing Club in the 60kg category. Ditshwene has failed to win any of his bouts in 2017 while Kgakgamatso has been outstanding and won 3-0. This time around the tournament attracted fewer boxers in the men’s category compared to previous tournaments.
Meanwhile, the national boxing team was expected to arrive in the country yesterday (Monday) from All Africa Boxing tournament that was held in Congo-Brazzaville. In another development, BoBA holds its elective annual general meeting on Friday. Incumbent president, Thato Patlakwe will face his vice president technical, Orapeleng Mosalakgotla for the presidency.
Selected results:
52kg
Rampape Moemedi 1-2 Joel Kgogobi
64kg
Moabi Ngaka 3-0 Tshepho Stoffel
Phatsimo Lephogole 1-2 Phazha Ramontsho
75kg
Mogomotsi Sesupo 0-3 Atang Nkala
91kg
Oteng Bareeleng 2-1 Mangoni Buti