An amateur boxer from Khubvi village, Humbulani Ravhanga, won gold during an amateur boxing championship held at the Tzaneen Sports Ground on Saturday. Ravhanga beat Blessings Jiyane on points after a gruelling four-round bout in the middleweight division.
The soft-spoken boxer, who joined the Khubvi Boxing Club in 2009, said he had only been waiting to win a gold medal in the amateur ranks before moving on to the professional ranks.
"I have participated in many provincial and national amateur tournaments over the years, but all I wanted was to win a gold medal before joining the professional ranks. I feel I now have enough boxing experience to make it as a professional boxer," he said.
His trainer, Mr Mutonda Mukwevho, said Ravhanga had been ready to join the professional ranks for a long time. He said that although they were preparing to join the professional ranks next year, if they got a chance to obtain a professional licence this year, they would seize it with both hands.
"He has more than 100 rounds in the amateur ranks, and he is ready to face the big boys in the professional ranks," he said.