Latest news with #BoxingSouthAfrica
IOL News
18-06-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Kevin Lerena champions rising SA boxing stars with ‘Fistic Havoc' event
GROWING THE SPORT Kevin Lerena's 'Fistic Havoc' event in Sandton aims to promote South African boxing talent, featuring a headline fight between Boyd Allen and Kagiso Bagwasi for the IBO All Africa Title. Picture: Michael Sherman/IOL Lerena explained how he aimed to grow boxing in the country with events like these. Lerena was last in action in May when he defeated Serhiy Radchenko in the WBC Bridgerweight title fight, and now 'Two Guns' is helping organise a major boxing event with Aquila Boxing Promotions. The headline fight on Saturday will see SA's ex-MMA star Boyd Allen taking on Botswana's Kagiso Bagwasi for the IBO All Africa Title. As Kevin Lerena puts his gloves in the cupboard this weekend, it's with the goal of promoting the next generation of South African boxers as the ' Fistic Havoc ' takes centre stage in Sandton. Aquila Boxing Promotions: Nurturing Talent and Leading South Africa's Boxing Scene 'It's great to provide an opportunity for 16 more fighters to focus their talent. And this is what boxing is all about. Creating talent, creating platforms and creating growth,' Lerena told IOL in an exclusive interview. As for the Allen v Bagwesi fight, Lerena said: 'It's a tough fight for both fighters. You know, you've got a technically sound boxer and then you've got an aggressive southpaw, so they're going to clash centre ring.' 'It's a hard matchup for both, but that's what we want to do at Aquila Boxing Promotions, which is put on exciting, tough matchups. 'We're creating a platform for fighters and we soon want to be the leaders of boxing promotions within the country. And that's our goal. We're looking to be the leading promoter within the sport in South Africa.' With Boxing SA also represented at the pre-fight press conference on Tuesday with new CEO Tsholofelo Lejaka in attendance, Lerena said he was working closely with the governing body. 'Boxing South Africa realises the vision and the vision that we have and they back the vision because at the end of the day boxing wins. 'The fighters win, and overall everybody wins. So it's a good relationship, a good strategic partnership with both Boxing South Africa and the broadcasters.' @Michael_Sherman IOL Sport
IOL News
17-06-2025
- Business
- IOL News
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.' @Michael_Sherman IOL Sport
The Citizen
31-05-2025
- Politics
- The Citizen
Boxing SA under scrutiny as retired boxers demand missing millions
Aggrieved former South Africa junior flyweight champion Dexter Dlamini slammed Boxing South Africa (BSA) for failing to pay retired boxers their share of the Boxing Benevolent Fund. This comes after Sports, Arts, and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie disclosed in February that the fund had been looted and millions were missing. Dlamini, from Klippoortjie, said he and many other former boxers have been unable to access the funds, despite being eligible. ALSO READ: Dowerglen High's Luyanda Lesia wins big at boxing tournament 'We, as former boxers, are aggrieved because the money we contributed to the benevolent fund has disappeared,' said Dlamini. 'McKenzie is trying to find out where the money went. We contributed portions of our fight purses to the fund but never benefited from it. Around R11 million was siphoned from BSA.' The fund, established over 40 years ago for professional boxers in South Africa, was designed to support retired pugilists and those facing hardship or injuries. A portion of each boxer's earnings was deducted to contribute to the fund. However, it has been a subject of investigation due to its depletion, allegedly caused by financial mismanagement. McKenzie has ordered an investigation to determine what happened to the funds and vowed to pursue legal action against those responsible. His department has pledged to restore the fund and has donated R1 million toward its revival. ALSO READ: Bare-knuckle boxing comes to Bedfordview on April 5 Though Dlamini is confident the money will be recovered, he slammed the fund's administrators for lacking empathy. 'That money is supposed to go to retired boxers. We deserve our share. BSA should contact all the boxers who contributed, they know who we are and have our details. I saw on social media that Elijah 'Tap Tap' Makhathini received his portion. I want mine too,' he said. Career Dlamini was part of the golden era of boxing in SA from the 1970s to early 2000s, which saw several boxers win world titles and achieve international recognition. The pugilist competed in 24 professional bouts, winning seven — including one by knockout — losing 12 (seven by knockout), and drawing five. He made his debut in April 1976, defeating Shadrack Mogapudi at Uncle Tom's Hall in Soweto. ALSO READ: International boxing legend wows fans at Emperors Dlamini captured his only title in 1978 when he outpointed Elliot Zondi to claim the newly created South African flyweight belt. He retired in 1983. Decline Dlamini was part of the golden era of boxing in South Africa, spanning from the 1970s to the early 2000s — a period that saw several local fighters win world titles and gain international recognition. 'It's a pity our boxing is suffering. We no longer produce good boxers. Ekurhuleni used to have champion boxers in the past. We had the likes of Gerrie Coetzee. 'But now the standard has gone down because administrators aren't giving us a chance to unearth talent. 'Our young people are on drugs because of a lack of variety of sporting opportunities. Give us the know-how, and you will see a revival of the sport,' Dlamini said. We contacted BSA and are awaiting a response. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
News24
30-05-2025
- Business
- News24
NFVF CEO Vincent Blennies resigns just one month into role, citing ‘personal reasons'
Vincent Blennies resigned as the CEO of the NFVF just one month after his appointment due to personal reasons. His appointment came amid instability following the resignation of former CEO Thobela Mayinje, who faced various allegations. Despite lacking experience in the film industry, Blennies was chosen for his extensive leadership background across healthcare, telecommunications, and financial services. Vincent Blennies resigned from his position as CEO of the National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) just one month after his appointment. The foundation said in a statement that Blennies 'has resigned from his position on 27 May 2025, for personal reasons.' 'Rest assured that we, as your Council, are addressing the matter with the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC) and continue to work towards ensuring stability and growth within our organisation,' ended the statement by the NFVF. In addition to his role at the new NFVF, Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie appointed him to Boxing South Africa's board in November 2024. Blennies' appointment came after former CEO Thobela Mayinje abruptly quit amid an investigation into numerous allegations. The NFVF, backed by the DSAC, funds and helps the local film business develop, produce, market, and distribute local content. While Blennies took on the role without a clear background or experience in the industry, the NFVF said he 'brings over 25 years of C-suite leadership experience in the healthcare, telecommunications, and financial services sectors' to the agency. They added, 'His appointment ushers in a renewed era of stability and strategic direction.' NFVF's new CEO, Mr Vincent Blennies, is a private sector professional and PhD candidate whose experience in telecomms, banking and fund management in the healthcare sector, will drive refreshed energy into the NFVF and lead it to deliver on its 5-year strategic plan. #LoveSAFilm — National Film & Video Foundation #NFVF (@nfvfsa) April 16, 2025 The embattled foundation has experienced several crises over the years. Mayinje, who had been acting as CEO for over a year and a half, was placed on 'administrative leave' in July 2024 for an 'investigation for numerous allegations.' Last year, McKenzie disbanded the NFVF Council, which was replaced with new board members.
TimesLIVE
22-04-2025
- Sport
- TimesLIVE
Final audit still not ready nearly two years after 2023 Netball World Cup
The 2023 Netball World Cup (NWC) board came under fire in parliament on Tuesday morning for failing to complete its financial audit nearly two years after the showpiece in Cape Town. The government invested R90m into the showpiece, staged from July 28 to August 6 2023, deputy sport, arts and culture (DSAC) minister Peace Mabe told the portfolio committee, adding it was unacceptable the close-out report wasn't completed. Mabe explained the audit had been delayed because of staff issues and that some equipment had become unavailable after the departure of staff. When NWC board chair Patience Shikwambana explained there had been challenges, such as extending the contracts of four staff members, including CFO Thabang Moses, portfolio committee chairman Joe McGluwa jumped in. He asked if this was the same Thabang Moses who had been fired by Boxing South Africa. Moses left the professional boxing regulator under a cloud amid allegations of corruption for which a boxing promoter was suspended.
