The tournament scheduled for Saturday, aims to pay tribute to Billy Oliver who played an instrumental role in the revival of the New Champions Boxing Academy.
WITH the objective of celebrating the remarkable coaching legacy left behind by William Edward ‘Billy’ Oliver in mind, the New Champions Boxing Academy will host a tournament in memory of the late boxing icon at the Kimberley Health and Occupation Centre, Ekapa Mine, located on Molyneux Street.
The tournament scheduled for Saturday, aims to pay tribute to someone who played an instrumental role in the revival of the New Champions Boxing Academy.
And there is quite a bit to acknowledge as far as Billy Oliver is concerned. A former South African Police Championships boxing champion, Northern Transvaal boxing champion, and Transvaal Welterweight boxing champion, and then on top of it all, Oliver was not only an exceptional boxer but also an inspiring coach.
He served as a mentor to numerous boxers, including Brad Delport, the current chairman of the New Champions Boxing Academy. Delport, deeply influenced by Billy Oliver’s guidance, restarted the New Champions Boxing Academy in September 2010, and it has since been a pillar of boxing excellence in the Northern Cape region.
Going even further back, the Oliver family’s boxing legacy runs deep, with Billy being coached by his father, the renowned Bushy Oliver, himself a former professional boxer who participated in the 1950 Helsinki Games. This unique family culture of boxing was passed down through generations and had a profound impact on the boxers associated with the New Champions Boxing Academy.
Meanwhile, Delport is currently guiding the New Champions Boxing Academy as head coach; Delport also serves as the public relations officer of the Northern Cape Open Boxing Organisation. Despite the recent loss of Billy Oliver, the academy has continued to flourish under the guidance of Delport and his dedicated team, including Eric Oliver, Billy’s son, and Ashley Ndhlovu, one of Delport’s former students, who are now actively assisting in coaching at the academy.
In a recent achievement at the SANABO (South African National Boxing Organisation) Championships held in Tzaneen in early July, New Champions Boxing Academy showed their resilience and dedication, winning two medals. André Page secured the silver medal, and Gustav van Zyl earned a bronze medal in their respective weight categories.
Ayden Brown, another talented boxer from the academy, put up an excellent fight but lost on points in the preliminary rounds. The news of Billy Oliver’s passing reached the team while they were about to compete in the semi-finals, leading one of the boxers to donate his medal back to the academy as a tribute to the beloved coach in a touching gesture.
Delport told the DFA that Billy was a beacon of positivity within the gym, leaving an indelible impact on the lives of countless youth. His teachings and passion for boxing will forever remain ingrained in the hearts of those who had the privilege of knowing him. Delport and his team are committed to preserving Billy’s legacy and nurturing the next generation of talented boxers in the province.
Saturday’s upcoming tournament will see several esteemed clubs in action. The bill will feature Platinum Boxing Club and Fitness, Freedom Boxing Club, Home Defenders Boxing Club, Babontse Boxing Club, Just Do It Boxing Club, Tsantsabane Boxing Club, Vryburg Boxing Club, and Amarok Boxing Club from Bloemfontein.
All boxing enthusiasts are invited to attend this memorial event and pay tribute to the legendary coach.
An extremely affordable entrance fee of R20 for adults and R10 for scholars will be applicable, with refreshments available for purchase. However, organisers have made it clear that no alcohol will be permitted on the premises, ensuring a respectful and safe environment to honour the memory of Billy Oliver.
The New Champions Boxing Academy is not just a club; it is a living legacy of the passion and dedication Billy Oliver poured into the sport of boxing. As the tournament approaches, the boxing community anticipates a day filled with nostalgia, heartfelt memories, and fierce sporting spirit – a day fitting to honour a true champion of the sport.
So if you are in the mood for a day filled with quality boxing, take the family and go witness local boxers battling it out in the ring for victory and glory while they pay tribute to a true legend.
