Boxing SA bunfight leads to blackout

Promoters have reacted with rage to the announcement by Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula that there will be no live coverage of boxing on SABC because promoter Branco Milenkovic has blocked the national broadcaster and Boxing South Africa from concluding an agreement.

"The reason South Africans are not able to view boxing is because somebody went to court and blocked the SABC and Boxing SA from concluding an agreement.

"That person is Branco. I don't know his surname," said Mbalula just after announcing the newly constituted six-member board of Boxing SA.

The sport has been off the broadcaster's channels since 2010.

Yesterday promoters Thulani Magudulela, Mxolisi Gumede, Andile Sdinile and Luvuyo Mngxanso and trainer Manny Fernandes vented their anger over the latest developments.

"Branco's actions make people want to know his real nationality because clearly he does not share their feelings and those of local boxers," said Magudulela, the Durban-based owner of Lundonga Boxing Promotions.

"South Africans love their boxing yet someone is making it impossible for them to enjoy it."

Gumede said what really annoyed him most was the fact that Milenkovic was part of the indaba which Boxing SA, boxing promoters and the Department of Sport held at SABC headquarters in Auckland Park in March, when it was agreed that boxing would be put back on free-to-air television.

"Boxing in our country is now affected because of one man. Branco must come out openly and tell the nation what exactly he wants," said Gumede.

Trainer Fernandes said these were very difficult times for boxers and the sport in South Africa.

"How can Branco control the SABC?" he asked.

"How much influence does this man have to control boxing? He is showing total disrespect to the government," he said.

SABC spokesman Kaizer Kganyago said: "The issue is between Branco and Boxing SA. We have budgeted for boxing because we thought the court battle was sorted out."

Milenkovic did not respond to questions put to him.