National Professional Boxing Promoters’ Association argues sport is being run illegally
14 March 2024 - 17:42
by David Isaacson
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
Promoter Ayanda Matiti with the trophy and certificate he received for winning Promoter of the Year in 2023. Picture: MICHAEL SHEEHAN
Promoters are asking the courts to shut down boxing in the country, arguing it is being run illegally.
But the National Professional Boxing Promoters’ Association (NPBPA) said in papers before the high court in Pretoria that the sport could resume normally and quickly if they and sport minister Zizi Kodwa hammer out an agreement.
Having had the Boxing SA board appointed by Kodwa interdicted in December, the promoters now argue that the latest move to keep the sport running is unlawful.
Kodwa last month appointed acting CEO Mandla Ntlanganiso as accounting authority, in terms of the Public Finance Management Act, to effectively replace the board on a temporary basis. The Boxing Act states that the board must appoint the sanctioning and ratings committees, which are necessary for the professional game to operate.
But in papers before the high court the NPBPA is arguing that the appointment of Ntlanganiso as accounting authority by the ministers of sport and finance was “irregular and invalid to the extent that it carries and/or confers in any way, shape or form upon [Ntlanganiso] the powers to sanction boxing fights/tournaments”.
The NPBPA also wants the court to rule that any sanctioning of fights and tournaments by Boxing SA is “unlawful and invalid”.
The association, chaired by Ayanda Matiti, further wants the court to order Kodwa to meet the NPBPA within five days of this order “and establish ... a temporary/interim solution that will see boxing taking place in a legitimate manner”.
They want Kodwa to announce resolutions from their meeting and that these would take place immediately.
Kodwa lost the interdict in December because he did not oppose the NPBPA’s urgent application in court, trying only to have the matter delayed.
The NPBPA’s gripe was that they had not been consulted by Kodwa. The act requires the minister to consult with all associations for all licensees before appointing the board.
Neither Kodwa’s office nor BSA could immediately confirm if the court action would be opposed.
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
Promoters go to court to have boxing shut down
National Professional Boxing Promoters’ Association argues sport is being run illegally
Promoters are asking the courts to shut down boxing in the country, arguing it is being run illegally.
But the National Professional Boxing Promoters’ Association (NPBPA) said in papers before the high court in Pretoria that the sport could resume normally and quickly if they and sport minister Zizi Kodwa hammer out an agreement.
Having had the Boxing SA board appointed by Kodwa interdicted in December, the promoters now argue that the latest move to keep the sport running is unlawful.
Kodwa last month appointed acting CEO Mandla Ntlanganiso as accounting authority, in terms of the Public Finance Management Act, to effectively replace the board on a temporary basis. The Boxing Act states that the board must appoint the sanctioning and ratings committees, which are necessary for the professional game to operate.
But in papers before the high court the NPBPA is arguing that the appointment of Ntlanganiso as accounting authority by the ministers of sport and finance was “irregular and invalid to the extent that it carries and/or confers in any way, shape or form upon [Ntlanganiso] the powers to sanction boxing fights/tournaments”.
The NPBPA also wants the court to rule that any sanctioning of fights and tournaments by Boxing SA is “unlawful and invalid”.
The association, chaired by Ayanda Matiti, further wants the court to order Kodwa to meet the NPBPA within five days of this order “and establish ... a temporary/interim solution that will see boxing taking place in a legitimate manner”.
They want Kodwa to announce resolutions from their meeting and that these would take place immediately.
Kodwa lost the interdict in December because he did not oppose the NPBPA’s urgent application in court, trying only to have the matter delayed.
The NPBPA’s gripe was that they had not been consulted by Kodwa. The act requires the minister to consult with all associations for all licensees before appointing the board.
Neither Kodwa’s office nor BSA could immediately confirm if the court action would be opposed.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Most Read
Published by Arena Holdings and distributed with the Financial Mail on the last Thursday of every month except December and January.