Local boxing trainer Gerson Singo is adamant that young boxers should not be exposed to the professional arena too soon. "Boxers must have at least 50 fights in the amateur ranks before becoming professionals," he said.
Singo is currently organising an amateur tournament to be held at Zwithuzwavhudi Secondary School on 7 December.
The former boxing champion hung up his gloves a few years ago but remains deeply involved in the sport. For the past six years, he has been training both amateur and professional boxers.
Singo said that one of the reasons local boxers were not doing well in the professional ranks was that they turned professional too soon without sufficient experience in the amateur ranks. He described it as dangerous and even suicidal to allow boxers to enter the professional arena without enough amateur fights.
"Boxing is a very dangerous sport if one is not well prepared before stepping into the ring. It is our duty as boxing trainers to ensure we start training them in the amateur ranks," he said.
Regarding the December tournament, Singo said amateur boxing clubs from Ha Mutoti, Tshixwadza, and Gondeni would participate. He also mentioned that his boxing stable, No Pain No Gain, would be moving from the Thohoyandou Indoor Sports Centre to the Phamphe Gym at Tshilapfene village.