Chaos as bout fails to take off
Naledi Lemogang | Friday October 13, 2017 12:18
Tebogo had reportedly submitted his medical report to his promoter, Bond Ngubula to forward to tournament organisers, Fox TV. But this was allegedly not done, which meant there was no medical certificate for Tebogo on Tuesday, the weigh-in day.
Tebogo also arrived late on the night of the bout after he slept in Lobatse instead of Grand Palm, which was booked by the organisers.
Tebogo blamed Ngubula for the chaotic preparations. He also felt sabotaged by his promoter, who failed to submit the medical report in time. “The communication between me and my promoter on this fight has not been good,” admitted Tebogo. “Before I went for the weigh-in on Tuesday, I tried to call him but his phone was off. That is why I came late. When I arrived, I found that my medical results had not been submitted.”
He said his opponent’s coach assisted him to do the medical tests.
He said Ngubula had failed to inform him that accommodation had been booked at the Grand Palm, and did not provide the fight schedule. “I feel disappointed with how my promoter handled matters this time around because we have travelled together, organising fights for me and updating me. But this time around, the communication was not there,” the boxer said. Khubamang was equally disappointed, saying they had accommodated Tebogo at the expense of a South African boxer.
“My boxer was supposed to face a South African opponent as we needed someone to give him a challenge to prepare for the December Championships. Bond then asked us to face his boxer, to which we agreed. I am now forced to think that he knew what he was planning because he failed to submit the medical report to Fox Sport,” Khubamang said. He said they wanted to register a win so that his boxer can compete in a title fight next year. He was however, happy with the overall contribution of his boxers, who won all their bouts. “Despite the sabotage, my boxers did very well because they won all their bouts except of one boxer who drew. They did what we expected and it went according to our plans,” he said.
The disappointed Bagwasi said he knew that his fight was going to have challenges when his opponent came late for the weigh-in on Tuesday.
“I am lost for words because even now I do not know why Bond requested us to fight his boxer while he knew that he did not submit the medical result to Fox Sports a month ago. The most painful thing is that the walk over win will not appear on my record and this doesn’t inspire me after putting so much hard work in the camp,” he said.
Bond said he submitted the medical results, but was later told they had been misplaced. He said he told the boxer not to go to Lobatse on the eve of the match, but the boxer disregarded him.
“I tried to call him and his number was not going through. I don’t want to blame the boxer, even if he wants to blame me. If the other party thinks it’s sabotage, it’s the way they think. I don’t want to comment on the issue,” Bond said.
Meanwhile, South African, Ayanda Nkosi is the new WBA Africa lightweight champion after he beat fellow countryman, Jeffery Magagane with a split decision.
In the other title bouts, Rofhiwa Maemu took the vacant featherweight belt after beating Namibian, Immanuel Andeleki through a unanimous decision. In the non-title featherweight contest, Tshephang Babui (Botswana) drew with Nyiko Ndubula (South Africa), Kutlwano Ogaketse (Botswana) beat Nkensahosi Junior (SA) 39-37 in international super featherweight contest.
Gomotsang Gaasite (Botswana) knocked out his South African opponent Nkensahosi with a technical knockout (TKO) in round two, while South Africa registered the first win against Botswana through Percy Mkhize who beat Kgomotso Bok through a unanimous decision. Tefo Letshikgwane (Botswana) beat South Africa’s Rofhiwa Nemushungwa 39-37 in the 54kg contest.