Bagwasi aims to defend WBF title
Botswana’s first ever boxing world champion Steven Bagwasi will today (Friday) put his title on the line against South African contender, Lunga Sitemela.
Bagwasi punched his way into boxing history last August, becoming the first Botswana professional boxer to win the WBF World Super Featherweight title with a land-slide unanimous decision over Tanzanian, Said Chino.
This evening he will be aiming to defend his title in the World Boxing Federation (WBF) World Super Featherweight Title Fight against the equally determined South African challenger, Sitemela.
The fight organised by Scud Missile Promotions will be held at Gaborone International Convention Centre (GICC) this Friday. The main bout will be between title holder, Bagwasi and Sitemela, with other local and regional boxers expected to make it to the ring too as curtain raisers.
Speaking to Voice Sport, Bagwasi said he started preparing for this fight last year as it was scheduled for December but the bout was postponed to March before it was postponed again to June. He said he had a break in December and from January he has been training and having friendly fights with other boxers in South Africa.
“The postponement has somehow affected my preparation but my Coach Thebe Setlalekgosi was there to encourage me not to give up. We spent a lot of money in preparations and only for the fight to be postponed. Finally I am glad it is happening. During preparations, I’ve reduced eating beef and bread and I don’t eat supper so as to maintain my weight. This will be my first time fighting Setimela but I have been watching his bouts on the internet for the past six months so I know what to expect. I can confidently say I will defend my title,” said Bagwasi.
Scud Missile Promotions Spokesperson, Nathan Kgabi, said this fight will go a long way in promoting Botswana professional boxing and exposing talent. Kgabi further said this is a very important event for Botswana, SADC and the international boxing fraternity.
“The quality of fights under Scud Missile Promotions has always been world class. We therefore promise to deliver high quality fights this Friday, equivalent to what we see internationally. WBF, as a reputable global boxing body, is home to some of the world’s most notable boxers including Evander Holyfield, George Foreman and Claressa Shields who holds a WBF World Title Belt,” said Kgabi
Kgabi thanked the sponsors GICC, Botswana Television, the Grand Palm, Coca Cola, Motor & Glass, BRES, DOLBI Car Rental, and the Ministry of Youth, Gender, Sports and Culture. Tickets are sold at Spar Stores and Webtickets outlets across the country at P200 for General and P400 Ringside.