Boxing SA Chair praises local stars at Sole Survivor

Like all fight fans, Khumalo was visibly energized by the standard of competition on display during the events of the Sole Survivor spectacle, noting that the evening served as a bold proclamation for the sport’s upward trajectory.

"I think we're seeing very good quality boxing," Khumalo stated. "I think for me, it's a statement that boxing is really back. So, I think that's the takeaway for tonight—that boxing is alive and it's back and it's back with a bang."

The event comes at a time when South African boxing is gaining significant international traction. 

With major global entities like the WBC increasing their engagement with the local scene.

Khumalo views the influx of international interest as a validation of boxing’s current trajectory. 

"It’s extremely exciting," she said regarding the international eyes on South African boxing. 

"It just says that the boxing world wants to engage with us because there's a lot that is happening in South Africa. For us, it's an affirmation that we are doing something right."

READ: Bryan Thysse defends SA Title in war of cousins

When asked about the appeal of the "Sole Survivor" fight card and what makes the current era of promotions like Golden Gloves so successful, Khumalo pointed toward professional packaging and high-caliber matchmaking as the gold standard.

"I think the way in which they package their fights and the type of boxers—the quality that they put out there," she explained. 

"When we speak to sponsors, especially media sponsors, they say to us: 'We want good quality on TV.' The way they package the event… it is just simply quality. That's what we want to see more of out there."

Besides the triumph of the Thysse’s, perhaps most encouraging for the Chairperson was the performance of the evening’s younger prospects and female fighters. Highlighting the clinical display from undefeated woman boxer Monica Mkandla and the emergence of a 19-year-old heavyweight talent like Ethan Peters, Khumalo reflected on how the sport continues to change and amaze. 

"Lately we've been seeing a lot of bouts and events that include female boxers, and for me that is a huge victory because when we had the boxing convention last year there was a huge cry from female boxers saying they're not getting opportunities and being treated equally," Khumalo recalled. "To now start seeing a lot of female bouts is quite amazing and we're getting somewhere in that regard. 

“As for the youngsters... it just shows that we've got a lot of talent and the future is looking really good. When you have a youngster who fights at that level with that quality, you can only say that the future is bright.”

As the final bell rang on a night of historical significance, Khumalo’s message was one of celebration: South African boxing is no longer just surviving; it is reclaiming its place on the world stage.