The new boxing promotion organization, JTK Boxing Promotions, was launched at the Khoroni Hotel in Thohoyandou on Saturday. The event was attended by the acting CEO of Boxing South Africa, Mr Loyiso Mtya.

According to a spokesperson for the new group, Limpopo loses most of its promising boxers to Gauteng-based boxing promoters, the reason being that there are not enough boxing promoters in the province. The only boxing promoter promising to groom potential boxers is Tshiawelo Boxing Promotions, which has not staged a boxing competition for a year and half.

Boxers such as Philip “Time Bomb” Ndou, Muvhuso Nedzanani and Cassius Baloyi, who were born in this province, are all in the camps of Gauteng-based promoters. Since the death of Mr Harry Nengwekhulu, the head of Tshiawelo Boxing Promotions, no boxing promoters have staged fights in this province.

Shortly before his death, Nengwekhulu was named the most promising boxing promoter in the province by Boxing South Africa (BSA).

Mr Mtya said to the boxers that they should train hard in order to excel in the sport. He praised the new promoter, Mr Johnny Khubana, who came up with the idea of producing young boxers. He appealed to businesspeople to support the newly formed structure, JTK boxing Promotions. He added that several sporting codes had become a major job creator lately.

Mr Johnny Khubana, the owner of the new promoting body, said his aim was to develop rural young people, keep the youth off the streets and also prevent them from abusing alcohol. “I saw huge talent when I staged the first paid indigenous boxing (Musangwe) and came up with the idea of developing boxers.

One of the boxers who joined JTK, Mike Phiri, said that although he was nervous at first, he enjoyed his career. “It also put my name in the spotlight, because I was unknown and a dwarf amongst the giants in the boxing fraternity. I was frustrated when my former boxing promoter’s business collapsed.”

It was also announced during the event that the first tournament will be held on February 13 at a venue still to be announced. Seven fights will take place and the main bout will be a female fight.