Boxing In South Africa: BSP Announces Fana vs. Alvarez IBF Title Fight August 31

Top-notch Legitimate World Championship boxing will revive again in the North West Province on 31 August, courtesy of Branco Sports Productions (BSP).

The bustling city of Klerksdorp (James Motlatsi Hall), in the heart of the province’s mining heartland, will be hosting Mzonke Fana’s first defence of his International Boxing Federation (IBF) junior lightweight world title against the Argentinean Javier Alvarez.

The announcement on Sunday (August 12) by BSP supreme Branco Milenkovic that the mega-fight had been awarded to Klerksdorp, will no doubt raise a good deal of eyebrows in boxing circles considering strong considerations from the Western Cape and Gauteng Provincial Governments.

Following the overwhelming success of BSP’s “Parade of Champions” last year, backed by Gauteng, and Fana-Klaasen subsequent to that (Western Cape), it is no secret that provincial governments have been scrambling for the right to secure Fana’s first world title defence in their neck of the woods.

Co-promoter and former four-time world champion Baby Jake Matlala admitted that all three provincial governments (Gauteng, Western Cape and North West) were seriously considered as the site venue, but is adamant they have made the right choice.

“BSP have been synonymous with many ‘firsts’ in the boxing industry. We were the first to introduce the Government into big fights, starting last year with Gauteng and “Parade of Champions”.

Giving the North West an opportunity like this, is just another indication of our desire to take mega championship fights, that were before seen only at the Casinos and Television from abroad, to all the people of our country,” said Matlala.

The Fana-Alvarez clash was sanctioned and approved quite some time ago, yet BSP have been seen to be dragging their heels announcing a venue and date.

The reason for the late announcement, however, is related to protracted negotiations over broadcast rites for the championship fight, featuring arguably the country’s most marketable fighter at present, Fana.

Many believe BSP tried to cash in on the recent soccer rites debacle and play the various broadcasters up against one another, but Branco was quick to scotch any malicious rumours by declaring that “Good sense and loyalty as well as very reasonable offer from the National Broadcaster, prevailed and SABC Sport secured the rites.”

“At the end of the day, our principal focus shifted to reaching a larger local, continental (Africa) and international audience, as opposed to the other networks” barked Branco.

BSP and their broadcast partners SABC Sport, have always enjoyed a very healthy relationship and can boast some exceptional tournaments under their combined banner in the recent past.

The national broadcaster, thanks to BSP establishment worldwide as well as shred negotiations skill, have managed to secure some mega-fights featuring South African boxers, with Fana-Barrera (HBO USA), Arce-Makepula (HBO USA), Makaringe & Lewele vs Alpaslan (RTL Germany), Hasegawa vs. Vetyeka (Honda Japan) as well as the recent Vincent Vuma-Thompson fight (Sky, UK).

“Fana has always been an SABC draw card and despite his loss to Barrera, they still threw their weight behind his second challenge against Klassen,” Branco pointed out.

Amongst the BSP charges pencilled in for action in Klerksdorp are current SA bantamweight champion Simphiwe Vetyeka.

Also lined up for action are former national champion Anthony van Niekerk, the Van Heerden brothers, Chris and Michael, as well as lightweight Jacques Stapelberg, heavyweight Mark Strydom and the newest unbeaten Cape Town-based sensation, “Baby Champ” Vusumzi Tyatyeka.