Tsholofelo Lejaka aims to restore respect and trust in Boxing SA
AIMING FOR CHANGE Tsholofelo Lejaka, newly-appointed Boxing South Africa CEO, aims to restore respect and trust in the sport through strategic reforms, sponsor engagement, and implementing resolutions from the 2025 Boxing Convention. Picture: Michael Sherman/IOL
Lejaka said events like these help provide an income for rising boxing stars in South Africa.
The event will be organised by Aquila Boxing Promotions, with IBO Bridgerweight champion Kevin Lerena giving his gloves a rest as he turns to promoting on Saturday.
Lejaka was speaking in Johannesburg on Tuesday, ahead of the ' Fistic Havoc ' boxing event headlined by Boyd Allen in his ABI All Africa Title fight against Botswana's Kagiso Bagwasi this weekend in Sandton.
Newly-appointed Boxing South Africa (BSA) CEO, Tsholofelo Lejaka , has outlined an ambitious roadmap for the future of the sport in South Africa, with the chief aim being restoring respect in the organisation.
The Drive to Restore Confidence in South African Boxing
'Boxing is ultimately about competition,' Lejaka told IOL in an exclusive interview.
'We can do all that we do in the office, administration, governance and regulatory activities but this is an opportunity for boxers to earn a living. This is an opportunity for our fans to get to see the type of product we are about. This is an opportunity for us to onboard our sponsors and give them mileage for the money they put into the sport.
'Thanks to SuperSport's continued support, we're taking live boxing into homes across the country.'
Restoring confidence in SA boxing, however, remained the biggest challenge and goal for Lejaka.
'I want to see the sport of boxing being respected and being trusted. You know it's not a nice thing when people say hey but with you guys I'm not sure if you are a bankable sport because just now things can go south again.
'So that's what I want to see in terms of measurable and tangible things. I want to see us having onboarded sponsors that have been confident enough to brand associate with us because they know that this sport if you associate with it is not going to be embarrassing you any time soon by having negativity again.'
Lejaka praised South African world champion Kevin Lerena, who currently holds the WBC bridge-weight title, for his professionalism both in and out of the ring.
'Kevin's story is one many can emulate. He's planning smartly for life beyond boxing and has a strong support structure, including his wife Geraldine, who plays an active role in promoting his career. He embodies what we want from our champions,' Lejaka said.
With Lejaka reappointed to the role last week, which he held from 2016 to 2020, he said implementing resolutions from the 2025 Boxing Convention held in February would be his first order of business.
'There's a lot of work that has been spelled out by that convention which we need to prioritise.
'We need to address the financial plight of Boxing South Africa. One by collecting money that is owed to Boxing South Africa. Two by ensuring that Boxing South Africa spends prudently. Three by onboarding new sponsors for Boxing South Africa, what we call revenue generation.'
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