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Leonard Ncube in Victoria Falls 

FORTY-FOUR boxers participated in the Workers’ Day Boxing Tournament that was dominated by boxers from Victoria Falls at Shoestrings Backpackers on Saturday.

Victoria Falls Boxing Academy had seven pugilists; six of who won their bouts, with only Silethosenkosi Moyo losing 1-2 to Simbarashe Gwatiringa from Masvingo.

Prince Urengwa (13) and Given Ncube (9) from the same academy put up spirited performances against Methembe Mpofu of Bulawayo and Blessing Magare of Hwange in the light-fly and pin-weight categories, which they won 2-1 and 3-0 respectively.

Victoria Falls Boxing Academy founder and head coach Tobias Mupfuti said the tournament gave them a perfect platform to assess boxers.

“The tournament went well and we were able to assess our boxers for the next tournament. We, including coaches from other provinces, also managed to identify areas to work on and we have already chosen Matabeleland North boxers for the tri-nations tournament set for the end of this month,” said Mupfuti.

He said seven provinces as well as Manyuchi Boxing Academy and Lobengula Club were represented at the boxing gala.

Lack of fitness and endurance as a result of a long period of inaction due to the Covid-19 lockdown was evident as the majority of boxers showed rustiness.

Hannah Brightman, the coordinator of the gala, said: “The turnout was fair, although it could have been better. The venue was good and befitting for all age groups and the majority of spectators were middle-aged and families.”

This was the first activity hosted by the academy since the five nation invitational tournament held in December 2019 that was graced by World Boxing Federation middleweight champion Charles Manyuchi at Kingdom Hotel.

A three nations tournament is on the cards at Kingdom Hotel on Africa Day on May 25. – @ncubeleon