East London will become the focal point when top American and Australian boxing entourages arrive in the city at the end of the month. The visitors include top American fighter Zahir Raheem and Hussein Hussein from Australia.

Their arrivals follow news that fight promoter Branco Milenkovic and the Eastern Cape government have clinched a deal to stage the boxing extravaganza in East London on July 5.

The tournament will be topped by the eagerly anticipated IBF world lightweight title eliminator between Raheem and Mdantsane fighter Ali Funeka. On the same bill, Hussein will fight KwaZulu-Natal fighter Muruti Mthalane in another IBF eliminator in the flyweight division.

Yesterday, Milenkovic confirmed that Jan Smuts Stadium had been secured to host the gigantic tournament. “Yes, we have secured the Jan Smuts and we are delighted because finding the venue was beginning to give us headaches,” he said.

No sooner had he secured the venue than Raheem and Hussein announced the dates of their arrivals in East London.

Raheem, nicknamed “Z-Man”, will arrive in East London on June 29 with a following consisting of seven people. This has taken Milenkovic by surprise as he was still busy trying to make travel arrangements for the American.

“His people told me that they would be making their own arrangements and want to arrive as early as possible,” Milenkovic said. “I don't know why he is bringing so many people, but my guess is that the entourage will consist of a nutritionist and maybe conditioners.

“This just shows how serious Raheem is taking this fight.”

Hussein announced he would arrive in East London on June 26.

Tournament organisers are busy finalising lodging for the visitors with over 108 rooms being targeted over a 10-day period. “There is no doubt that every top boxing soul will be in East London in two weeks’ time,” Milenkovic said.

He could not say which boxing gymnasiums would be used by the visiting fighters nor could he say if the fighters would be involved in coaching clinics while in the city.

“I will have to communicate with them regarding coaching clinics,” Milenkovic said.

Raheem and Hussein’s arrival is expected to add to the boxing excitement of the June 27-29 weekend which features two boxing tournaments.

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Boxing News Tags: , Ali Funeka, Branco Milenkovic, Hussein Hussein, Zahir Raheem