Younger Bagwasi shames Seoko

THATO KALA
Correspondent | Saturday May 11, 2013 00:00

 

Bagwasi is a younger sibling to Kagiso, who beat Thato Batshegi in the Keone Mooka Mageu National Boxing Championship finals last September. It seems the Bagwasi brothers have made it a habit to bring down goliaths.Just a fortnight ago, the 19-year-old beat Francistown Boxing Club veteran Boitumelo Taolo in the first interclub tourney of the year. And on Saturday, the youngster took control of the bout right from the onset.Bagwasi, clearly bubbling with confidence, never showed any respect for his national team veteran opponent. The tactically superior teenager led 7-5 at the end of a thrilling first round.

He continued with his dominance in the second round. He seemed so much at ease, as if he was facing his age-mate. Although he looked to have lost steam midway through the round, he maintained a two point lead at the end of it.The 2012 Most Promising Boxer, Bagwasi, came back strong in the final round giving his opponent no chance at all to win the match 18-15. Bagwasi credited his coach for instilling self-belief in him ahead of the bout.'My coach told me I had to believe in myself and a win was possible. I got in there and played my game and I am happy it paid off,' he told Sport Monitor.In another bout, former Olympian Oteng Oteng maintained his dominance in local boxing, beating DTCB's Marshall Mokgwela 19-13 in a 52 kilograms bout.

OT started off strong in the first round, throwing punches with power to unsettle his stubborn opponent. But his opponent made sure the margin remained close as he trailed by a point at the end of the round.The second round belonged to Mokgwela and he finished it leading by a point. OT was careless in defence during that round, allowing his opponent to draw close.But OT went all out in the final round, drawing from his vast experience in the sport. Mokgweka would often drop and move back during the last round and OT took advantage that as he kept his opponent backpedalling.   Two weeks ago, OT, a 52 kilograms, faced a 56 kilograms, but this time met his weight-category companion.OT's coach at UB Boxing Club, Master Luza said: 'He fought his category this time, but whichever division I'm comfortable. He should not stay long in another category lest he struggle to adjust in future.' Francistown Club's Bokamoso Molaodi and 1-2-5 pugilist Tshepo Kutloeng also gave the fans a good bout.Kutloeng started off strong, dominating in the first round.

The fearless young boxer often moved close to his retreating opponent and tactfully threw jabs at him. After a closely contested first round, Kutloeng led 3-2 before the two gave fans another intriguing round. It was a 5-5 stalemate at the end of the round. At that stage, the game was clearly open as a contest and the two knew fully well the final round would be decisive.Molaodi ended it strongly, narrowly beating his opponent 9-8. Saturday's bout attracted 72 boxers. However, the women's bouts could not go on because weights were varying.The on-going tournaments are the last of the three-year contract, which ends at the end of the year. This year's sponsorship is to the tune of P155, 000.