Teenager staggers old wine

THATO KALA
Correspondent | Monday September 17, 2012 00:00

 

The referee had to stop the contest after the 18-year-old outclassed the national team veteran. And the Glenn Valley Boxing Club pugilist, Batshegi, admitted he was beaten fair and square. 'He beat me fair and square, everyone saw for themselves,'Batshegi told Sport Monitor in a post-match interview. 'This young boy is very strong, he has so much determination and his coach knows me in and out because he coached me in the national team.'

Saturday's bout was the second time the two squared off after their first bout in the inter club where the Mogoditshane Senior Secondary  school Form Five student also emerged victorious. But the first round of their 60 kilograms category bout was almost even with everyone expecting Batshegi, who was taking part in the tournament finals for the 11th time, to ride on his experience.

However, the youngster came with all guns blazing in the second round and a flurry of blows was enough to wrestle control of the game from his experienced opponent. The overly confident youngster, who was making only his second appearance in the tournament, declared that he only fears God. 'I only fear God, I was not afraid of him,' he said. 'So it was my plan to knock him out before he kills me.'

Bagwasi went on to win the Best Boxer of the Tournament, an award which carried prize money of P1, 500. His sibling and club mate, Kabelo Bagwasi was named Most Promising Boxer after beating Tefo Rammupudu of UB 18-10 in a 52 kilograms flyweight fight. He pocketed P1, 000. The light flyweight bout pitting DTCB's Oratile Kgalaeng and national team star Mooketsi Lekgetho was justifiably named Best Bout. The two pocketed P1, 000 each. Lekgetho won the fight 25-13.

Francistown Club's Boitumelo Taolo beat Ryan Seakolo of GVBC 16-15 in the 56kg while DTCB's Oratile Segokgo beat Kutlwano Mosekaphofu 16-10 in another exciting light welterweight fight. DTCB, inaugural winners in 2001, were overall champions, pocketing P20, 000 while Selebi Phikwe side EMG were second and got P10, 000 prize money.

UB finished third and were given P5, 000. The tournament was won by Glenn Valley last year. Meanwhile, Gaolatlhe Rampape was named Best Judge, while Fraser Mothibedi was Best Referee. The two each got P1, 000 for their efforts.