Boxing stars shinein national finals

NELSON DIRENG
Correspondent | Tuesday November 2, 2010 00:00

 There were eight bouts each lasting three rounds. The categories contested were light flyweight (49kg), bantam (52kg), featherweight (56kg), lightweight (60kg), light welterweight (64kg), welter (69kg), middleweight (75kg) and heavyweight (81kg).

The opening bout of the day was the light flyweight contest between Kgalaeng Oratile  of Kgalagadi Sands Boxing Club (KSBC) and Molatlhe Thapelo of Jwaneng Boxing Club. Oratile won 20-14. Commonwealth Games bronze medallist, Oteng Oteng of (UB) defeated Kgomotso Bok (KSBC) 15-8 in an interesting bantam weight fight. The confrontation between Thato 'Hands of Steel' Batshegi of Eastern Military Garrison (EMG) and Michael 'Pick and Foshol' Rantsho of Jwaneng in the featherweight category nearly ended in a draw. Rantsho narrowly won 15-17. The final bout of the day was between Mohuhutso Tsenang of Glen Valley Boxing Club (GVBC) and Oteng Phatswe (EMG). The well-prepared Phatshwe contained an inept Tsenang throughout the bout. His punches kept Tsenang at bay until the third round of the heavyweight fight when Tsenang  was disqualified for unethical conduct.

 Mpotsang Gaolatlhe (EMG) defeated Onalenna Rasesa (Francistown) 8-6 in the lightweight while Gomotsang Gaasite (Francistown) beat Lentswe Zwinila 15-7 in the light welterweight. 

In the welterweight, Sir Seretse Khama Barracks (SSKB)'s Keoagile Rantutu lost to Nkatlholang Sembere (UB). Keolopile Gabaikanngwe (Jwaneng) defeated Chibani Chikanda of EMG in the middleweight category. Big names such as Moabi Mothiba and current Botswana boxer of the year, Bathusi Mogajane were unable to compete in the championships due to personal commitments. Commonwealth Games bronze medallist, Tirafalo Seoko and national team captain Mmoloki Nogeng were eliminated last week in the preliminary rounds. The best boxer was Oteng Oteng while best bout was the fight between Nogeng and Mpotsang in the preliminary rounds.

The best referee was Mosimanegape Leoketsa, the top judge was Irene Ntelang, the best club was Eastern Military Garrison while Mothusi Taele was best coach.