The tournament will honour the memory of Oom Bushy who could be considered the father of boxing in the Northern Cape and we are looking at honouring his memory.
AMATEUR boxing is due to spurt to life again as Northern Cape Boxing Academy (NCBA) honours the late Bushy Oliver with a tournament in his name by staging a fistful of fights in Beaconsfield at the weekend.
NCBA owner-promoter Brad Delport confirmed that from his stable four boxers will be part of the amateur fist festival on Saturday at the club’s gymnasium in Beaconsfield starting at 2pm.
“The tournament will honour the memory of Oom Bushy. He could be considered the father of boxing in the Northern Cape and we are looking at honouring his memory,” said Delport.
The late Eric “Oom Bushy” Oliver was a boxer in his own right having fought as a professional in the featherweight division. He was a welcome visitor cum trainer at the NCBA stables. Oliver was a sports fanatic who enjoyed his time as an avid Griquas rugby supporter. He was laid to rest in Kimberley about a month ago.
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NCBA will throw into the ring Bradley Britz in the middleweight division, lightweight pugilist Jason van Wyk, and Jade Kruger in the featherweight section.
Tshepang Tsheshebe is the surprise package in the deal.
Tsheshebe is a South African National Youth and Elite championship bronze medalist. He has just returned to Kimberley after taking part in the SA champs which were held early in September in Cape Town, said Delport.
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Besides fighters from the NCBA stable Delport’s long time partner in the amateur boxing game Raymond Kgang ‘Coach’ Mothobi’s outfit Freedom Boxing Club will be among several clubs from around the diamond fields and further afield who will descend on the local boxing mecca on Saturday in Beaconsfield.
Lebogang Mohosh will be the big draw for Freedom Boxing club, being Mohosh an elite boxer in the featherweight division (47kg).
From Ikhutseng, Warrenton Blossom Boxing club will bring a clutch of boxers as will Tsantsabane Boxing Club from Postmasburg. Bloemfonetein’s Legacy Boxing Club as well as KK Open Boxing Club from Klerksdorp have confirmed attendance at Saturday’s fist fest in Kimberley.
Fans will return
Delport said the event organised by the NCBA will have as its undercard the promotion of schools and junior boxers ranging in age from 12 to 14 years of age. The NCBA promotion is geared towards shaping a provincial junior team from among the boys.
Saturday’s boxing event in Beaconsfield is self-funded by the promoters but fortunately for fight fans they will be allowed into the venue with a very reasonable cover charge of R10 payable at the door.
