GEORGE MOLWANTWA KEEPS THE GOLD RUSH DREAM ALIVE
BY:Kabelo Seleka
GABORONE:A mark of a champion is the not about how many punches he can throw but how many punches he can take,so they say,so is Botswana’s George Molwantwa at the ongoing AFBC Zone IV Boxing Championship in the bantam weight division yesterday at Botho University.
Botswana’s Tokyo 2020 hopeful Molwantwa won by 4-1 split decision over Botswana government powered Macie Uache Antonio of Mozambique in a heated boxing showdown. Molwantwa had too much to lose on the home ground against the matured Antonio.
Antonio got aggressively into round number one of the bout with heavy bolo punches with intention to weaken his opponent for good.
George Molwantwa who saw red was kept on the ropes and only to be saved by the bell from the in-plug Antonio. Molwantwa managed to tactically beat and learn his opponent in the second round which could have gone either way. On the third round Molwantwa stamped authority as he clearly finished his man with a couple of thunderous punches to advance to the next stage of the regional tournament.
George Molwantwa said that he started slow in the fight because he received too many power punches in the beginning. Molwantwa added that Antonio’s bolo punches worked for him because as the bout matured his opponent fatigued. Molwantwa also mentioned that his corner came in handy to help him win the fight.
“Nne ke receiver punch tse dintse from my opponent, a attacker a hokotsa gore keka attacker in the beginning.” Alluded George Molwantwa.
For his part Antonio said the fight was not an easy one. Mozambique’s a sensational punch beater lamented that he knew that Molwantwa was a better fighter on the day towards the end of the fight.
“Fighting the guy(George Molwantwa) is not easy, I heard about him(Molwantwa),but this is sport, win or lose. He was the best on the day.” Narrated Antonio.
In the other bout for Botswana, UB/Tsholofelo and 49kg national champion Kobamelo Molatlhegi won by 4-1 split decision to the other Mozambique’s Nondiwe Yassine. Zambia`s AUSC Region 5 wonderkid 49kg`s Patrick Chinyimba`s fists were too hot for South Africa`s Siyandanda Wophela to win by a knockout in the first round. Lesotho`s Olympiad Mokhotho Moroke lost in the preliminaries South Africans Thabang Mafokane.
Five gold medal target by team Botswana will be intensely cultivated today by Captain Mmusi Tswiige, Rajab Mahommed, Keamogetswe Kenosi and Aratwa Kaseemang in session two of Gaborone 2019 AFBC ZONE IV Boxing Championship from 2pm.
