The Devil’s Boxing Club has received a shot in the arm to continue nurturing prospective boxing legends in the making. The club operates from the historic Bochabela Arena.
Much-needed equipment was donated on 20 October, courtesy of Windmill Casino. This includes boxing gloves, speed balls, boxing bags, headgear, mouthguards, chest protectors, skipping ropes, sparring gloves, dumbbells and punching bags. The donation is a corporate social investment effort by the casino to enable more children to grow and develop through the sport of boxing.
“Sport gives children an outlet to expend their energy. It focuses their minds and helps them learn to control their emotions, channelling negative feelings in a positive way,” said Johan Oosthuizen, general manager of the casino.
“Windmill hopes this donation will help the Devil’s Boxing Club to achieve its goals with regards to the development of youngsters in the area.”
The club is home to 26 amateur boxers: seven female and 19 male. Ages range from seven to 25.
“This is a major boost, considering we had inadequate equipment for the training of our boxers,” said Piet Molatlhoe, club manager.
“We will now be able to work on perfecting the skills of every individual boxer in the club. Our mission is to produce champions and compete in different competitions.
“We are delighted with the gesture, which was necessary to enable us to revive boxing – resurrecting the sport’s glory days in the township. The sport used to be integral in the participation of youth and attracting support.”
Molatlhoe said they still needed, among other equipment, a boxing weighing scale, exercise bikes and boxing attire, as well as a treadmill.
He said while the vision was to produce professional boxers, the immediate focus was on producing top-class amateur fighters capable of conquering the best in South Africa. He said the club’s main objective was to develop and nurture high calibre boxers.
The club has been operating for five years following its revival by former professional boxer David “Treto” Molatlhoe, whose professional era spanned from 1989 to 1996. He had competed in 18 professional fights, achieving six victories, two draws and ten losses. Years later, boxing is still in his veins, hence he took it upon himself to revive the club.
Presently, the club has three board members: Bonang Shale and the two Molatlhoes. Arthur Letebele, who was the fourth board member, passed away last year.
