In a bid to produce future national and world champions, South African boxing legend Elijah “Tap Tap” Makhathini will stage a professional boxing tournament in Eshowe, KwaZulu-Natal, on Saturday.

The 80-year-old is one of the few former boxers from KZN who achieved greatness during apartheid.

His first national title was the SA middleweight “non-white” belt, which he won during the time when black and white boxers were not allowed to compete against each other.

He went on to win the “undisputed” SA title after fights between black and white boxers were permitted, by beating Jan Kies in 1976, but lost the belt to Doug Lumely the following year.

Makhathini is an Order of Ikhamanga (silver) recipient and was elected to the SA Sports Hall of Fame.

He told Scrolla.Africa that topping his bill is the vacant KZN lightweight title battle. Sandile “Spikili” Dumisa and Mahlangu will clash over ten rounds.

“I have pitted local boxers who I believe have a bright future ahead of them. I believe they will one day be national champions and world champions,” he said.

He said there is an abundance of talent in KZN that needs to be nourished and polished.

“By staging these kinds of tournaments we are giving them platforms to showcase what they have,” said Makhathini.

Also featured on the bill is a female fight between rising star Seluleko Zulu and Bernice Ferreira, who will collide in the lightweight division over four rounds.

The full bill is: Nkosingiphile Sibisi v Tamiwa Chisolola (junior bantamweight, 6 rounds), Siyanda Gumede v Sihle Shange (bantamweight, 4 rounds), Sizwe Biyela v Nkosinathi Sibiya (junior bantam, 4 rounds), Lindelani Sibiya v Zwelakhe Nhlapo (featherweight, 6 rounds), Ntando Mdletshe v Pieter De Klerk (junior middleweight, 4 rounds), Mxolisi Zuma v Skhumbuzo Ximba (junior featherweight, 6 rounds), Seluleko Zulu v Bernice Ferreira (lightweight, 4 rounds)

Pictured above: “Tap Tap” Makhathini

Image source: Supplied