Major upsets were the order of the day during the Botswana Boxing Association (BOBA) tournament, which was held at the University of Botswana (UB) student centre over the weekend.
The upsets started on Saturday during the preliminaries with Khumoyame Basupeng of Ghanzi Club humiliating light fly weight national champion, Tefo Rammpudu of Tsholofelo. In another upset, this time in the bantam weight division, Oarabile Setlhaka of Diamond Trading Company Botswana (DTCB) edged out another national champion Kefentse Molalapata of Tsholofelo. In the light heavy weight division preliminary bout, Thabang Motsewabeng of DTCB knocked out Chriswell Jongwe just seconds into their fight.
The light weight division weight champion is Marshal Mokgwaela of DTCB who sailed through against the Ghanzi pugilist Basupeng in the finals. Thabiso Mpolokeng of Club 1-2-5 beat up Keobaka Motsebe of BMC boxing club to take up the fly weight division championship.
The bantam weight division belt went to Tirafalo Seoko of BMC who beat Oarabile Setlhako of DTCB in the finals. Kabelo Bagwasi of DTCB lived up to his reputation as he became the light weight champion after beating Farmer Alphias of Thebephatswa. Kagiso Bagwasi of DTCB defeated Bobeilwe Ookeditswe to take the light welter weight title.
Kelebogile Rantutu of the Sir Seretse Khama Barracks boxing club became the welter weight champion by a walk over after his opponent Mothusi Moitoi of the University of Botswana (UB) boxing club failed to turn up for the finals.
The most anticipated bout was the light heavy weight bout between knock out specialist Motsewabeng and Zibani Chikanda. The bout lived up to its reputation as both boxers exchanged blows much to the jubilation of the crowd. Motswewabeng was declared the winner at the end of an exciting fight. In the heavy weight division, long time rivals Tsenang Mohuhutso and Oteng Phatswe traded blows. However, it was Mohuhutso who emerged victorious.
In the women’s bouts, Joyce Katlholo of Kgalagadi North Boxing Club emerged the light fly weight champion after beating Oarabile Oarabile Kgopolo of Glen Valley Boxing Club. Rodhar Maswabi of Glen Valley Boxing Club is the women’s fly weight champion after she stopped Dipogiso Koketso of Kgalagadi North Boxing Club. The fight was stopped before time after Koketso was punched on the nose and started bleeding. The women’s light weight division champion is Tebo Gaotingwe of DTCB who defeated Kelebogile Monthusi of Selibe Phike boxing club, EMG. The women’s welter weight champion is Keneilwe Rakhudu of DTCB. BOBA president, Thato Patlakwe said the tournament was quite competitive. The tournament is used for selecting boxers for the national team.
Glen Valley Boxing Club coach, Dirang Thipe also declared the tournament a success even though it was held at the beginning of the year. “It was highly competitive,” he said. Thipe said next time when they select boxers for the national team, they should not only be looking at the national championship medalists.
Thipe was equally happy with the performance of his boxers. He brought two boxers who all grabbed gold medals. “Two boxers and two gold medals. I am happy,” he said.
