By Katlego Mokwena
It will be a weekend of gloves, upper cuts, jabs and fierce competition as Beitbridge play host to the King of the Ring boxing tournament at Pagomba Café tomorrow.
The boxing extravaganza which will offer young boxers a chance to hone their skills and potentially secure a spot in the national team is serving as a crucial preparation for two upcoming International Boxing Association (IBA) tournaments in October and November of this year.
The Zimbabwe Boxing Federation will send boxers to the IBA Youth World Championship in Budva, Montenegro (October 20 – November 4) and the Africa Elite Men & Women Boxing Championship in Kinshasa, DRC (October 14-27).
Technical Director for the Zimbabwe Boxing Federation, Steven Masiyambumbi urged young boxers who aspire to represent the nation to take advantage of this opportunity.
“This is a golden opportunity for boxers who aspire to represent Zimbabwe on the global stage. We aim to select the best athletes, and everyone is invited to participate and support the event”, he said.
Boxing clubs from across the country are expected to take part at the event including those from the Zimbabwe National Army, Zimbabwe prisons and Correctional Services, Airforce of Zimbabwe, Victoria Falls Academy, Gwanda , Bulawayo, Midlands. Matabeleland North, Masvingo, Mashonaland West and clubs from the host town Beitbridge.
As young boxers face off in the ring tomorrow, they’ll be one step closer to representing Zimbabwe on the world stage. The IBA Youth World Championship and Africa Elite Men and Women Boxing Championship carrot has been dangled, the stakes are high, and the excitement is palpable.