Gauteng-based promoter Dan Maphalala, who trades under the banner of Platinum Gloves Promotion dedicated his upcoming July 27 national championship between junior heavyweight king Earl Morais and Baldwin Hlongwane in Durban to ”the resurrection” of boxing in KwaZulu-Natal.
”I am glad to see promoters like Dingaan Thobela and Pat Molefe staging their tournaments in Durban. If all promoters could follow suit, I tell you, that province which used to boast big name fighters will reclaim its status,” he said.
”This is not my mission but ours.”
Maphalala, a former professional fighter, model and activist, said he would include the government in his bid to make sure that the most desired objective was achieved.
”We cannot fold our arms and pretend as if nothing wrong is happening in KwaZulu-Natal. Some of us know what that province has done historically.”
The first local boxer to win a World Boxing Confederation (WBC) title was Thulani ”Sugarboy” Malinga, who hailed from KwaZulu-Natal.
”If I could, I would get all the peoples of Durban at the fight,” said Maphalala.
Great name prize-fighters such as Robbie Williams, Maxwell ”Black Hero” Malinga, Elijah ”Tap Tap” Makhathini, Solomom ”Boxer” Zuma and the late Brian Baronet all came from the forgotten province.
Maphalala said it was therefore proper to christen his event the ”Rekindling of the most forgotten Mecca of Boxing”.
”Durban is the hub of things,” he said. He said several continental and international historic conferences were hosted in Durban.
”Safa (the SA Football Association) launched South Africa’s (Soccer) World Cup 2010 Bid in style by hosting England against Bafana Bafana at Durban’s Absa Stadium last week Thursday.
”I am prepared to make boxing big in that province and I have already prepared a crew comprising of matchmaker, public relations and marketing team to start putting matters into perspectives in Durban,” said Maphalala.
He said the eagerly-awaited clash between Morais and Hlongwane was his dream fight.
”It’s a money-spinning local event. I have prayed days for signatures of the two boxers. All the jigsaw puzzles are in place. Thanks to SuperSport.”
The two boxers should have been at each other’s throats for quiet some time now. In fact they were supposed to have fought last year already — but the fight never materialised.
The match will be televised on pay channel SuperSport at 10pm on July 27. – Sapa