Eastern Cape's Orient Theatre no longer fit for big boxing events

07 September 2015 - 02:06 By Bongani Magasela

Last Friday's return of Eastern Cape prodigal sons Xolisani "Nomeva" Ndongeni and Zolani "Last Born" Tete highlighted that the Orient Theatre is no longer fit to stage big boxing tournaments. A historic venue in Eastern Cape and South African boxing, the Orient Theatre only takes 1500 spectators, which was a problem for promoter Andile Sidinile, who said he had to turn away another 1000 people who wanted to see Ndongeni and Tete in the flesh."They would not leave and rather watched action on a big screen which was erected outside the venue," he said."I did not foresee this, because our previous tournament on August 14 featured young and upcoming fighters and was headlined by Mzuvukile Magwaca, who is from Cape Town but is promoted by me here in East London. "Now this one on Friday featured the cream of East London - the top dogs. Imagine what will happen in a few weeks' time when [Simpiwe] Vetyeka takes the centre of the ring."Given that the tickets went for R100 - a price which would be an issue in any other province - this raises the question whether those upcoming tournaments should not be taken to bigger venues, such as the Sisa Dukashe Stadium, because the locals could easily fill it.Ndongeni crushed Argentinian Miguel Angel Escalada in two rounds while Tete stopped Mexican Ramirez Diuhl Olgiun in the eighth round. Former IBF and IBO minimum-weight champion Nkosinathi Joyi overwhelmed Sinethemba Magibisela over five rounds...

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