Remembering That Historic African Night

Muhammad Ali slips a pawing right from a tiring George Foreman.

Muhammad Ali’s epic clash with George Foreman in ‘The Rumble in the Jungle’ was one of the most definitive contests ever seen.

On October 30 1974 one of the most epic events in the history of sports took place in Kinshasa, Zaire — now Democratic Republic of Congo — when Muhammad Ali and George Foreman met in the ring for a fight since and forever immortalised as The Rumble in the Jungle. It was a fight that saw an ageing 32-year-old Ali risk not only his legacy but his health against the human wrecking machine that was a 25-year-old George Foreman in his prime.

Foreman was the undefeated reigning heavyweight champion and prior to meeting Ali had destroyed both Ken Norton and Joe Frazier inside two rounds, each of whom had already defeated Ali. Standing 6’3” tall and weighing in at a lean 220lbs he brought to the ring punching power that was considered... (click here to continue)

Ali Funeka Back In Action

Funeka vs Marali added to big Jo'burg fightcard

19-Nov-2011 - Monte Casino, Johannesburg
Frans Botha vs Michael Grant (vac WBF Heavy title)
Ali Funeka vs Zolani Marali (vac WBF Super Light title)
Malcolm Klaasen vs Daniel Lomeli (vac WBF Super Feather title)
Ilunga Makabu vs Pedro Otas (vac WBF Cruiser title)
Lubabalo Msuthu vs Dennis Tubieron (vac WBF Bantam title)
Mthobisi Buthelezi vs Gerald Nekhubvi (vac All-Africa Welter title)

WBO Convention Africa Report

WBO Africa Chairman Andrew Smale made his report at the ongoing WBO convention currently being held in Puerto Rico on the tremendous progress being made by that organization but bemoaned the problem of verifiable fighters' records coming out of the continent.

As reported in Fightnews.com:

Following Mr. Panoncillo’s report, Vice President Andrew Smale gave his report on WBO boxing. Once again Mr. Smale showed why he is quickly establishing himself as one of the WBO’s most valuable commodities, with further grown in the continent and what is looking very close to absolute WBO dominance of the boxing scene in Africa. Smale was proud to announce eighteen title fights in 2010. And so far in 2011, he has presided over seventeen with five future dates confirmed. It is rapidly expanding each year, and despite the difficulties promoters in Africa face, the WBO’s commitment to boxing in Africa is clearly paying huge dividends. Smale also commented in the increasing strength of boxing in Ghana, and the impressive nature of the numbers when compared with some of the rival organizations. The ABU (associated with the WBC) had only one fight in 2011, as did the WBC Intercontinental. The IBF Africa Championship has yet to do a fight in 2011. Smale closed by announcing that the WBO collected $21,400 in Africa so far this year, and he is optimistic that at least two African regional champions may get title fights in the coming year.

For the full Fightnews report, (click here).

South African Champ Hit By Drugs Ban

Matima Molefe KO's Simphiwe Tom

SA featherweight champion Matima Molefe has been banned for two years after testing positive for anabolic steroids.This was announced on Tuesday by the SA Institute for Drug-Free Sport.

Illegal substances were found in Molefe's urine sample, which was taken by the institute's officials on May 29 this year, after a title fight in East London.Molefe stopped Simphiwe Tom in the second round to win the vacant SA title. The fight at the Orient Theatre ended 1 minute 40 seconds into the round. The new champion improved his record to 11-1, with 8 knockouts.

Khalid Galant, CEO of the Institute, said Molefe had tested positive for metabolites of the anabolic agent Nandrolone.Statistics show anabolic steroid use among boxers is becoming... (click here for full article at SuperSport.com)

Nkabiti Struggles To Secure Title Fight

Botswana Lightweight Herbert Nkabiti

Botswana's professional boxer, Herbert Nkabiti is still to get a title bout despite his impressive run since turning pro and moving to South Africa. 

'The Raging Bull' registered another technical knockout (TKO), outsmarting Free State boxer, Carlos Mbimi in the first round of a six-rounder on Saturday. This was Nkabiti's sixth straight win since turning professional, but the Kanye born boxer is still to get a title fight. His manager, Larona Francis told Mmegi Sport that they were still in negotiations with some promoters in South Africa with the hope of landing the boxer a title fight in the near future.

"The major problem is that we do not have a professional body in our country which would help in securing such fights. The other thing is that... (click here for full article at Mmegi Online)

Ambunda Moves Closer To World Title

Paulus Ambunda with WBO Africa chairman Andrew Smale

WINDHOEK – While Africa is blessed with a significant number of highly talented boxers – the continent is poorly represented in some of the high-profile global titles.

It’s a well-documented secret that a good chunk of African boxers are holed up in the less prestigious World Boxing Federation (WBF) and several other low-profile boxing umbrella bodies, but Namibian boxers have their eyes firmly fixed on the real McCoy.

Namibia’s World Boxing Organization (WBO) undisputed Africa bantamweight champion Paulus “The Rock” Ambunda, is one step away from a crack at... (click here to continue to New Era article)

Akaba Grabs Interim Title

15-Oct-2011 Accra, Ghana - After lacklustre showings in local rings all year, former WBC International Featherweight champ Osumanu Akaba (26-5-1) really caught on fire in his two most recent fights looking very sharp in pounding vet warhorse Theodore Lokossou of Benin forcing the visitor to retire on his stool after six rounds of exchanges.

Although Lokossou had already lost twice to the rejuvenated Akaba early in their careers, he nevertheless came to rumble and gave a good account of himself until Akaba's brutal body punishment took its toll. Akaba collected the vacant WBO Africa Super Featherweight belt, but only the interim version leaving the real champion, world rated fellow Ghanaian Maxwell Awuku a chance to lobby for a world title shot.

The semi to the main event on this, the maiden show of newcomer Victor Ahiakpor's Heart of Lions Promotions, showcased what was a mouthwatering showdown for the National Super Bantamweight Title pitting up-and-coming brawler Raymond Commey defending his belt for the first time against vet Commonwealth title challenger and former IBF Africa champion Isaac Nettey of non-stop action fame. Alas Nettey, having just witnessed his brother Razak drop a twelve round war against Commey back in June, decided to use his vast edge in experience to fight a smart, tactical fight that put most of us to sleep and looked to have a slight edge after twelve rounds of mauling, missing, and grabbing. However, the three judges thought otherwise, giving the surprised Commey his fifth win in six fights. Isaac deserves a rematch, if any promoter cares to put it on.

Ashie braces for a counter from Nurudeen,

In a bonus attraction, top Lightweight George Ashie (22-3-1), fresh off a one round annihilation of local rival Abdul Malik Jabir just two months ago, stayed busy for a promised Commonwealth title shot as he systematically wore down Nigerian champion Prince Nurudeen who kindly stepped in on three days notice after original opponent for the vacant title, Innocent Anyanwu, could not make it. The visitor, showing controlled movement and a sharp counter punching style that could have given Ashie problems had the fight wore on, gamely tried to implement his will, but after five rounds, the lack of conditioning, and Red Tiger's constant tactical pressure, compelled the Prince to live to fight another day. Nurudeen returns home with his first loss after ten straight wins.

Brilliant Super Bantamweight hope, amazing John Amuzu, added another "win" to his heavily padded record with a one round decapitation of repeat victim and perennial loser Samuel Adotei to score his ninth "official" win, all by knockout. Padding the record of a superb fighter such as Amuzu is doing a disservice to the development of his career as it does nothing to prepare him for the very tough fights he will encounter at the international level when his handlers are sure throw him to the wolves.

Faded local idol Bukom Snake, alias Abdul Malik Jabir, attempting to regroup after his recent embarrassing opening round exit against George Ashie, was made to struggle in a keep busy fight against mismatched neophyte Tackie Annan. The former Black Bombers' team captain and multiple regional titlist was extended into the fifth round with his delusional die-hard adherents chanting "Malik is back, Malik is back" near ringside. Jabir "improves" to 17-8 while Annan remains winless in two outings.

Smooth punching welterweight contender Kofi Manu made it five straight so far in 2011 with a two round dismantling of jaded journeyman Nii Akrofi for his tenth win against six defeats. Though Manu has some decent scalps to his credit, he has come up just short against the cream of the crop having dropped decisions to the likes of Obodai Sai, Patrick Allotey, and most recently, Felix Lawson. An excellent clash between two young unbeaten Super Feathers saw Michael Pappoe overcome an early deficit to score his third win with a fifth round stoppage of George Krampah, now 4-1.