Roti was a slap in the face, say boxing fans

25 May 2015 - 02:14 By Bongani Magasela

A boxing promoter was at the centre of a bunfight after incensed patrons accused him of serving bland food at a box-and-dine tournament on Friday night at the South Hills Recreation Centre in Johannesburg. Some demanded their money back from Curtis Moonsamy and the culinary spat nearly got out of hand when they insisted that his roti and kebab main dish was not worth the R2750 price tag attached to each table.Businessman Galen Son said he paid for two tables for 10 people at R2750 each and expected to be served a three-course meal, which is standard practice at box-and-dine events.Patrons turned into would-be pugilists when, according to Son, only rotis, meatballs and cans "of no-brand cool drink" appeared on his tables.''We did not even eat it," he said. ''We waited for the main course that did not come. I was very angry and felt cheated."When Son and his guests were no t served more food, he got up and searched for Moonsamy.''I am glad I did not get to find Curtis, because I was very angry."But Moonsamy insisted that patrons got their money's worth, since they also enjoyed ''boxing of the highest standard in the country".He added: ''We served samoosas as the starters. We served roti and kebab, a traditional Indian dish, as the main course."We also served soji, which is an Indian traditional dessert. The cool drink is called 'Kingsley', which is not a no-name brand.''I am an Indian promoter and this is my first tournament, so we served Indian traditional food."For R275 a person, we gave them a box and dine including entertainment which was boxing of the highest standard in the country."It would be all too easy to forget about the boxing, which should have been the main course.Hot prospect Ronald ''King" Malindi stopped Tebogo Setseke in the first round, taking his knockout ratio to four from as many fights.The youngster from the Westside Boxing Academy of trainers Bernie Pailman, Cliff Martins and Peter Faver in Westbury is sponsored by Son.Stablemates Koos Sibiya and Sydney Maluleka stopped Hamisi Kulanga and Petros Mahlangu in the seventh and first rounds respectively.Khayalethu Mbhedje lost his fight to Cebo Ngema, but the youngster won the hearts of many fans.Moonsamy's tournament was attended by former greats Jimmy ''Jumbo" Abbott, Dingaan ''The Rose of Soweto" Thobela, Jan ''Kid Gavilan" Bergman, Anton ''Irish Terror" Gilmore, Andrew ''Pretty Boy" Matabola and Keith Rass...

There’s never been a more important time to support independent media.

From World War 1 to present-day cosmopolitan South Africa and beyond, the Sunday Times has been a pillar in covering the stories that matter to you.

For just R80 you can become a premium member (digital access) and support a publication that has played an important political and social role in South Africa for over a century of Sundays. You can cancel anytime.

Already subscribed? Sign in below.



Questions or problems? Email helpdesk@timeslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00.