The news of Duncan Village’s Phumelela Cafu securing a historic world title unification bout in the US proves SA boxing’s pedigree despite its shambolic administrative aspect which was exposed in parliament recently.
Cafu will face unbeaten US boxer Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez in a WBO, WBC and Ring Magazine junior bantamweight title unification bout in Dallas on July 19.
He will become the first boxer from the Eastern Cape, long considered a boxing hub, to contest for three world titles in one bout.
The fight will mark a roller-coaster ride for Cafu, who not so long ago was just one of the aspiring young boxers in the shack-littered Duncan Village trying to make something out of their careers.
While the feat deserves to be celebrated, with all the plaudits going to his manager Colin Nathan, whose impeccable managerial skills continue to help SA boxers realise their dreams of participating on the world stage, the same cannot be said about the state of boxing administration in the country.
Recently boxing head honchos were grilled in parliament, with their maladministration laid bare while they fumbled for answers.
Excessive spending on consultancy fees has contributed to the dire financial straits besetting Boxing SA, which relies on the sports ministry for survival.
Fortunately sports minister Gayton McKenzie seems determined to tackle the challenges head on, promising a number of sweeping reforms, including instituting probes to bring those responsible to book.
Having a healthy administration will influence more youngsters to follow a career in boxing and produce more Cafus to fly the SA flag abroad.
Cafu earned his big break when he was matched against four-division world champion Kosei Tanaka of Japan for the WBO title in October.
He grabbed the opportunity with both hands by upsetting Tanaka to thrust himself onto the world stage, which has now helped secure him this lucrative unification clash against Rodriguez.
This shows how one’s life can change in an instant through sport which should be administered by competent individuals.
McKenzie must make good on his promise to crack the whip against the culprits who have misappropriated BSA funds, leaving it in this dire financial situation.
In the midst of that, development in obscure areas such as Duncan Village should be accelerated to unearth more talent, with municipalities forced to play a significant role.
As they say, that is another layer of service delivery which also helps get the youth off the streets, especially in crime-infested areas which have a high mortality rate.
Daily Dispatch