Top continental boxers to compete at Mandela African Boxing Cup with $500,000 USD fund at stake
Several renowned boxers are lined up to take part in the inaugural Mandela African Boxing Cup set to take place in Durban, South Africa at the International Convention Center from 15 – 21 April 2024. The IBA prize money fund for the event is $500,000 USD.
World Championships medallists duo, Mozambique duo Alcinda Dos Santos and Rady Gramane are among those to fight for glory, along with World Champion from Morocco Khadija Mardi in the 81kg category, and African champion Ivanusa Moreira from Cape Verde in the 66kg division. Algeria brings a strong team, including 2-time African Games winner Roumaysa Boualam at 50kg, 2-time African champion Ichrak Chaib competing at 63kg, and African champion in 60kg Hadjila Khelif.
Mauritius veteran Louis Richarno Colin at 63.5kg, Peter Pita from the Democratic Republic of the Congo at 80kg, Patrick Chinyemba from Zambia at 51kg, and Tiago Muxanga from Mozambique are among those expected to show strong performance. Host team South Africa selected the 22–strong team in pursuit of exhilarating the home crowd.
The opening ceremony will kick off a great celebration of African boxing, with semi-finals scheduled on 20 April, while the finals will take place on 21 April.
‘For Nelson Mandela, boxing was not only a sport but a way to get through his hardest years, a science full of priceless life lessons and a path to equality,’ IBA President Umar Kremlev said. ‘Let’s take Mandela’s dedication to boxing as a strong inspiration for young generations and glorify his name through Mandela Cup to make it a tradition for years ahead.’
The inaugural Mandela African Boxing Cup coincides with South Africa’s commemoration of 30 years of freedom and democracy since the historic election of 27 April 1994. As the people of South Africa celebrate the gains, achievements, and the milestone of 30 years of democratic rule and living in a free and democratic society, the national boxing community would like to highlight its own gains, and achievements as far as the sport is developed in the country since 1994.
Nelson Mandela used to say, ‘My greatest regret in life is that I never became the heavyweight boxing champion of the world.’ Today, IBA gives the opportunity to honor his memory and celebrate the champions of the African Cup named after Nelson Mandela.
