The highly anticipated Survival of the Fittest International Boxing Tournament is scheduled to take place at the Khoroni Hotel and Casino in Thohoyandou on 27 June.
The MEC for Sport, Arts and Culture, Mr. Jerry Maseko, officially launched the tournament on Friday, 2 May, at the hotel. He was joined by dignitaries such as Thovhele Gole Mphaphuli, MEC Vhamusanda Livhuwani Matsila, PhalaPhala FM programme manager Sharon Ravele, Black Leopards FC managing director Tshifhe David Thidiela, promoter Modipadi Kgasago, and Phatutshedzo "Don King" Dongola from Limpopo Champions Promotion.
When launching the tournament, Maseko highlighted the region's proud history of producing top-class boxers. He mentioned that during a recent Ministerial Boxing Special Award Ceremony, several Limpopo-born and -bred boxers had received awards, including Tshifhiwa Spider Munyai, Phillip "The Time Bomb" Ndou, Isaack Hlatswayo, and Cassius Baloyi.
"The province is proud to have produced boxers who have participated in both World Boxing and International Boxing Organisation bouts. This financial year, the department will focus on the development of women boxers and amateur boxing in partnership with the Limpopo Sport Confederation," said Maseko.
According to Maseko, the tournament is more than just a competition; it is a celebration of the province's collective strength and a testament to the power of sports to unite and inspire.
One of the senior traditional leaders of the Vhavenda, Thovhele Gole Mphaphuli, stated that it was long overdue for communities in the Vhembe region to host boxing events within their societies, which he hoped would give young people an opportunity to showcase their boxing talents.