In a video posted on Instagram on Tuesday, 2 April, Tumelo Ramaphosa announced that his company Studex Group has partnered with International Boxing Association for an upcoming celebrity boxing event.

 

 

TUMELO RAMAPHOSA ANNOUNCES CELEBRITY BOXING EVENT
The son of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Tumelo revealed that over 450 male and female fighters will be going against each other in an “olympic qualifying event”. The celebrity boxing match is expected to take place in Durban at the International Convention Centre from 15-21 April.

According to IBA, the inaugural Mandela African Boxing Cup, with the blessing of the former South African president’s family, was named after the late Nelson Mandela.

The competition is said to be organised by IBA, the African Boxing Confederation (AFBC) and the South African Boxing Organization (SANABO). The boxing event is also expected to feature 12 women’s and 13 men’s weight categories.

Siyabulela Mkwalo, President of SANABO, was quoted as saying: “South Africa celebrates the staging of this event as it symbolises our recognition of the role played by Nelson Mandela in fighting for [the] liberation of our country from apartheid whilst promoting worldwide peace and stability.”

All the boxers at the Mandela African Boxing Cup will be representing their nations. So far, a total of 41 nations will be represented at the inaugural event.

Tumelo Ramaphosa celebrity boxing Mandela African Boxing Cup
Photo Phumlani Njilo. Image via Instagram @njilo007
MORE ABOUT THE EVENT
This is the second attempt at doing event. Last time it got postponed despite receiving wide support from more than 235 registered boxers from 34 nations.

At the time of its postponement, IBA said, ” Due to the present circumstances, the postponement is motivated by the difficulty most delegates have faced in obtaining visas, and the haste observed in the organisation of this event which ultimately led to the postponement.”

“We are trying to be more inclusive from an amateur level as a feeder to the professional level. This is a very big event and also a chance for African boxers to test themselves on a world level,” Tumelo Ramaphosa said.

So far, only two fighters have been confirmed to surely take part in the event, including Phumlani Njilo and Ashleigh Ogle. Last year, rapper Big Zulu was said to have cried foul after he lost an exhibition fight against Njilo, Sunday World reported.

This year, famous rapper Cassper Nyovest was challenged to take on Njilo in the ring. “Cassper, I challenge you [and] I am calling you out to come and fight Njilo,” Ramaphosa said. On the the hand, Njilo said he is willing to put his belt on the line and take on his next opponent.