Big names fall in boxing championship finals build-up

FREDERICK KEBADIRETSE
Staff Writer | Monday November 21, 2011 00:00

Big names fall in boxing

championship finals build-up

Frederick Kebadiretse<BR>Staff Writer

ational boxing team captain Gomotsang Gaasite is among some renowned pugilists who will be missing in action at the Keone Mooka Mageu National championships finals next weekend. This follows a 13-16 loss on points to upcoming youngster Ofentse Kompone in the championship semi-finals at the Botswana College of Agriculture (BCA) multi-purpose hall yesterday noon.

The experienced Gaasite who won bronze at this year's All-Africa Games (AAG) in Mozambique was favourite to come tops against the 18-year old Kompone in the light welter category (64kg).

The closely contested bout saw both fighters displaying magnificent technique trying to score maximum points earlier while at the same time avoiding losing points. It was not clear by the end of the second round who was top on points but Kompone came back strongly on the final round winning the bout. Another national team boxer who failed to make it to the finals is Tirafalo Seoko who was defeated by little known Letshikgwana Tefo in the bantam weight(56kg) duel. The 1.2.5 boxing club boxer was a marvel to watch since the quarterfinals on Saturday and was not intimidated by Seoko, ousting him 21-17. Meanwhile the preliminary stage of the men's' lightweight (60kg) pitted national team boxers Thato Batshegi against Mmoloki Nogeng, a fight many would have dared to watch in the final. Batshegi saw off Nogeng 10-7 on points before defeating Bareeleng Thapediso in the semis to book a place in the finals where he will come up against Phikwe boxer Motlatsi Mokobeng of Eastern Military Garrison (EMG) boxing club. In the 52kg flyweight category, it was business as usual for national and Africa champion Oteng Oteng as he cruised through the quarterfinals after a Referee Stop Contest (RSC) decision on the first round against Moses Mathogela of BMC boxing club.

He went on to defeat Kgomotso Bok of Kgalagadi Sands Boxing Club (KSBC) 16-7 in an exciting semi-final bout to book a place in the finals where he will be defending his title against Botlhe Malebegwa of Glen Valley Boxing Club (GVBC).

Bathusi Mogajane is also in the finals of the light flyweight (46-49kg) where he will fight Mooketsi Lekgetho of UB. In other semi-final bouts, Ryan Seakolo of GVBC defeated Thato Monabana of BMC in the Bantam (56kg) category. In the welterweight (69kg) Kealeboga Rantutu of SSKB proceed to the finals with a 8-5 win over Mmusie Tshwiige. Tsenang Mohuhutso and Kenny Maragana were given a free ticket to the finals in the light heavy (81kg) category, as they were the only boxers in that division.

This follows a 13-16 loss on points to upcoming youngster Ofentse Kompone in the championship semi-finals at the Botswana College of Agriculture (BCA) multi-purpose hall yesterday noon.

The experienced Gaasite who won bronze at this year's All-Africa Games (AAG) in Mozambique was favourite to come tops against the 18-year old Kompone in the light welter category (64kg).The closely contested bout saw both fighters displaying magnificent technique trying to score maximum points earlier while at the same time avoiding losing points. It was not clear by the end of the second round who was top on points but Kompone came back strongly on the final round winning the bout. Another national team boxer who failed to make it to the finals is Tirafalo Seoko who was defeated by little known Letshikgwana Tefo in the bantam weight(56kg) duel. The 1.2.5 boxing club boxer was a marvel to watch since the quarterfinals on Saturday and was not intimidated by Seoko, ousting him 21-17.

Meanwhile the preliminary stage of the men's' lightweight (60kg) pitted national team boxers Thato Batshegi against Mmoloki Nogeng, a fight many would have dared to watch in the final. Batshegi saw off Nogeng 10-7 on points before defeating Bareeleng Thapediso in the semis to book a place in the finals where he will come up against Phikwe boxer Motlatsi Mokobeng of Eastern Military Garrison (EMG) boxing club.

In the 52kg flyweight category, it was business as usual for national and Africa champion Oteng Oteng as he cruised through the quarterfinals after a Referee Stop Contest (RSC) decision on the first round against Moses Mathogela of BMC boxing club.

In the welterweight (69kg) Kealeboga Rantutu of SSKB proceed to the finals with a 8-5 win over Mmusie Tshwiige. Tsenang Mohuhutso and Kenny Maragana were given a free ticket to the finals in the light heavy (81kg) category, as they were the only boxers in that division.