Boxers fight against violence
The issue of gender-based violence was put in the spotlight at the MTC Nestor Sunshine Boxing and Fitness Academy boxing bonanza called Champions in Action when a fight featuring Mike and female boxer Selma was announced as a campaign to address gender-based violence.
The boxing academy collaborated with LifeLine-Childline and Advantage Y&R, the brainchild of the campaign, in order to raise the issue of the ever-growing problem of gender-based violence in the country using the two actors Desmond Basson and Veya Katjina.
The boxing academy created a stir in the media weeks before the fight, dubbing the fight as the first mixed exhibition fight between a male and female boxer in the country. This news caught the attention of the public, with many boxing fans wondering if the news was true.
Weeks before the fight the Namibia Professional Boxing and Wrestling Control Board's acting administrator, Hendrik Mapele, said that they did not receive any application for the fight to be sanctioned and that it might just be a ruse to attract a crowd.
Prior to the fight Mapele also said that the Boxing Act does not allow women to fight in Namibia, either against each other or a male counterpart.
“Boxing is a gentleman's sport in Namibia and promoters are known to use publicity stunts to attract crowds and this might just be one of those scenarios.”
In a media release the Lifeline/Childline said that gender-based violence transcends race and social backgrounds and that it is the whole country's problem. Because of this they put two fake fighters in the ring and announced the stance of boxers against violence.
On fight night the brutal and cowardly act of gender-based violence was denounced, urging men to protect women and not prey on their vulnerability.
LIMBA MUPETAMI
The boxing academy created a stir in the media weeks before the fight, dubbing the fight as the first mixed exhibition fight between a male and female boxer in the country. This news caught the attention of the public, with many boxing fans wondering if the news was true.
Weeks before the fight the Namibia Professional Boxing and Wrestling Control Board's acting administrator, Hendrik Mapele, said that they did not receive any application for the fight to be sanctioned and that it might just be a ruse to attract a crowd.
Prior to the fight Mapele also said that the Boxing Act does not allow women to fight in Namibia, either against each other or a male counterpart.
“Boxing is a gentleman's sport in Namibia and promoters are known to use publicity stunts to attract crowds and this might just be one of those scenarios.”
In a media release the Lifeline/Childline said that gender-based violence transcends race and social backgrounds and that it is the whole country's problem. Because of this they put two fake fighters in the ring and announced the stance of boxers against violence.
On fight night the brutal and cowardly act of gender-based violence was denounced, urging men to protect women and not prey on their vulnerability.
LIMBA MUPETAMI
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