Tete battles Gonya on foreign soil
World title fight highlights the dire straits of SA boxing
In March 20 years ago, Cassius Baloyi and Anton Gilmore stepped into ring history at the Wembley arena in Johannesburg's south when they engaged in the first all-South African world title clash.
There would be only one more before the end of the 20th century, but since then there have been nearly 50.
On Saturday night Zolani Tete and Siboniso Gonya take this milestone to a worryingly new level as they become the first South African pugilists to face off for a world title on foreign soil, battling in Belfast, Northern Ireland. This is the latest sign that local boxing is in its final throes, warn observers.
East London-based Tete - the WBO bantamweight champion and the top-ranked South African fighter in Ring magazine at second overall in his division - is one of the country's finest talents.
So what does a good boxer have to do to get a fight around here? Be less successful?
"It's disappointing," Tete's manager Mlandeli Tengimfene said before the camp flew out yesterday. "We have tried everything in our power [to stage the fight in SA]. I don't know what it is we didn't do."..
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.