The stage has been erected, with the referees ready to warn fighters against rough tactics and instruct the boxers to protect themselves at all times.
The qualifying stage of the championships was held last weekend in Francistown, with the highlight being national team boxer, George Molwantwa getting knocked out by upcoming talent, Kagoetsile Raokgwathile. It has been a rough terrain for Molwantwa since his former coach at the now-defunct BMC Boxing Club in Lobatse, Dinners Sikele retired. Diamond Boxing Club stands a good chance of being crowned the 2023 national champions, as they currently lead the log standings with nine points.
The club will be making its national championships debut. Eastern Military Garrison (EMG) Boxing Club is in the second spot with five points while Prisons is in third place, also with five points. The interesting bouts will be in the 57kg to the 71kg category. Prisons coach, Gibson Rauwe will pin hopes on Mmusi Tswiigi (light weight - 71kg) and Maxwell Sechi (fly weight - 51kg). “Preparations for the national championships have been smooth. Tswiigi is going there to showcase his boxing skills to his opponent (Shathiso Makhani of Diamond).
He is a senior boxer and knows what to do. War will be between Sechi against Rajab Mahommed. It will be a tightly contested bout. “I know Mahommed because I train with him in the national team. He has experience, is a fast attacker, and needs an opponent who can change direction quickly,” Sechi said. Senior national team coach, Thebe Setlalekgosi, is Mahommed's trainer. Rauwe said only two boxers qualified from his club as the majority of his pugilists left to join other clubs.
One of them is Mmoloki Thipe who will be fighting under the Diamond Boxing Club. Setlalekgosi said he has been working with Mahommed since last year. He will also be in the corner when Keamogetse ‘Sadie’ Kenosi steps into the ring to face Kutlwano Sekhutlo in the women’s light welter division (60-63kg).
“We do not talk much about how they should perform. Rajab and Sadie know it is another day at work and they have to work and deliver,” he said. Talented boxer in the women’s division, Aratwa Kasemang is not competing because she does not have an opponent. An exciting bout is expected as Raokgwathile (1-2-5) fights Mmoloki Sekwaipe of EMG. Slaying Molwantwa has boosted Raokgwathile's confidence and his coach, Bond Ngubula is upbeat. Ngubula said Raokgwathile is the future of boxing and in the next two years he will be unstoppable.
“Tomorrow he will produce a diamond, nothing more, nothing less. We are campaigning for the Boxer of the Tournament award. It is his national championships debut; it is only right to arrive in style and leave everything in the ring,” Ngubula said. Meanwhile, Taolo Tlouetsile, the BoBA secretary-general, said the stage is ready and clubs have done everything to fight for the title.
