Members from the Freedom Boxing Club in Galeshewe is seen after returning from the Inter-Provincial Tournament that was held in the Free State over the weekend. Picture: Danie van der Lith
FIGHTERS from Galeshewe’s Freedom Boxing Club returned from a recent inter-provincial boxing tournament with mixed emotions.
The weekend event, held in Bethlehem in the Free State was originally intended to showcase the talents of 12 of their boxers, but the tournament faced significant disruptions due to logistical issues, reducing the competition time and truncating the Kimberley team’s participation.
Club chairperson, Raymond Motobi, spoke to the DFA and expressed his frustration over the delays.
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“We planned for 29 bouts, giving all 12 of our boxers a chance to compete,” Motobi said. “Unfortunately, the tournament start time was shifted from noon to 3pm because other teams arrived late. As a result, only four of our boxers could step into the ring,” he explained.
Yet, despite the setbacks, the club made the best of the situation. Three of their four boxers lost on points, but one shone brightly, securing a trophy for the best boxer of the tournament.
Junior Molapo, one of the participating boxers, found the competition challenging but rewarding. “Fighting against new opponents was tough because we rarely get that opportunity locally,” he said, before adding, “We learned a lot, and it was a good experience.”
The Freedom Boxing Club's experience in Bethlehem highlighted both the challenges and triumphs of their journey.
As they navigate logistical hurdles and seek more opportunities for their boxers, their resilience and dedication continue to shine through.
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