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Sports Reporter
THE Bulawayo Amateur Boxing Association (Baba) heaped praises on Lobengula’s Sikhulile High School for taking the lead in developing talent after fielding three boxers at Saturday’s Manor Hotel bill. Sikhulile High School’s boxing club is being coached by provincial trainer Mike Folomi. On Saturday, they had two of their upcoming pugilists, Prosper Ncube and Mthulisi Dube, trading leather in the only flyweight bout. Ncube won the game on points.

Sikhulile High School’s Bridget Ncube was on the receiving end in the only female bill, losing on points to Musawenkosi Ncube of Nketa.

Ezwell Ndlovu, the Baba vice-chairman said they were happy that the school managed to send boxers to the bill and encouraged other schools to emulate them.

“For boxing to be successful we need to have a strong foundation and the foundation is the grassroots. Schools are a good base for developing the sport and as an association we’re very impressed that Sikhulile High School has taken a lead in introducing the sport to its pupils. Hopefully more schools will copy them and that way we will be able to have Bulawayo being the hub of boxing,” said Ndlovu.

The Baba competition had seven bouts.

Zimbabwe National Army pugilist Godknows Sithole, based at Headquarters (HQ) One Brigade knocked out Nketa’s Shadreck Machaya in the lightweight division. Machaya had earlier on beaten Khayelihle Moyo of Lobengula on points.

Former national team’s Samson Masiyambumbi of Nketa beat Lobengula’s Assurance Moyo on points in the light-welterweight while Lancelot Moyo of Lobengula won against Edson Mapeku in a lightweight fight.

Meanwhile, Ndaba Dube who represented Zimbabwe at the Olympics and Commonwealth Games attended the low-key Baba tournament.

Ndlovu said Dube’s presence inspired young boxers who might want to emulate his achievements.

Results
Bantamweight: Musawenkosi Ncube (Nketa) won on points against Bridget Ncube (Sikhulile High School), Wiseman Tshuma (Lobengula) won on points against Everson Musambidzi (Nkulumane)

Flyweight: Prosper Ncube (Sikhulile High School) won on points against Mthulisi Dube (Sikhulile High School)

Lightweight: Lancelot Moyo (Lobengula) won on points against Edson Mapeku (HQ One Brigade), Shadreck Machaya (Nketa) won on points against Khayelihle Moyo (Lobengula), Godknows Sithole (HQ One Brigade) knocked out Shadreck Machaya (Nketa)

Light-welterweight: Samson Masiyambumbi (Nketa) won on points against Assurance Moyo (Lobengula)