Mandela boxing tournament part of WBC’s big plans for SA boxing

Sulaiman was speaking to SABC Sport during the WBC and Boxing SA summit at the Nelson Mandela Foundation, where they addressed a lot of issues. In attendance were BSA board members, the WBC South African office, boxers, including legends like former WBC world champion Thulani “Sugarboy” Malinga. Sulaiman talked about establishing a Nelson Mandela boxing tournament...

"We talked about the possibility of doing the Nelson Mandela boxing tournament to find the future champions of South Africa. We talked about the possibility of doing a world convention back in Johannesburg South Africa. There's many things that we can do together because sport is the best ally to society."

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Sulaiman is in the country for the WBC mini-flyweight world title fight, where Ku-Gompo City-born Siyakholwa “One-Way” Kuse is hoping to dethrone the champion Melvin “El Gringo” Jerusalem from the Philippines at the Emperors Palace on Saturday. 

He says SA has always been a key stakeholder in the WBC family, and his father (Jose) played a very important role in fighting Apartheid discrimination through the sport of boxing.

Equally happy to be part of this occasion was BSA Chairperson Ayanda Khumalo, who has played a pivotal role in revitalizing the sport, since her board came into office 18 months ago. 

As the leading sanctioning body in the world, Khumalo says the session they had today and the meeting with Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie was very fruitful.

"To have the president of the WBC here is a historic moment for SA Boxing. We haven't had this opportunity in a long time, and it's a sign of a lot of solidarity and collaboration, and this is what we're pushing for to work closer with the WBC."

Two-time world champion Sivenathi “Special One” Nontshinga might not have been a WBC champion yet, having held the IBF title twice before, but he’s been highly rated by the WBC and is hopeful that Sulaiman’s visit will bring some opportunities for local boxers...

"We don't get the opportunity all the time to just have conversations and ask questions. This event brings a lot of positive energy in the sport , and hopefully after today we will see a lot more opportunities for boxers."