23 May 2016

The inaugural Arnold Classic Africa will be packing a punch as some of the country’s top boxing talent will be showcased at the popular sports festival at Sandton Convention Centre, in Johannesburg, on 27 May.

Boxing will share the stage with 46 other sports codes during the three-day festival where six fights will be on display including three title fights that will be contested over the 10 rounds.

The tournament will be headlined by Patrick Malinga and Ashton Whiteboy for the vacant World Boxing Association (WBA) Pan-African interim lightweight title.

Featured attractions on Friday include bouts for the WBA Pan-African interim middle and bantam weight fights.

Morris Lento and Cebo Ngema will be sweating it out in the bantam weight bout while seasoned veteran Welcome Ntshingila will climb into the ring with Jimmy Mabudji.

Boxing promotor Kaya Majeke said he expected fireworks in all the bouts and although they will not be fighting for a title Esther Mashiya and Mapule Ngubane it will will be a mouthwatering rematch of their March draw.

“We are celebrating the All-Africa month coinciding with the Arnold Classic, and we are positioning Gauteng as a good province for sport," Majeke said.“I believe this tournament will entertain and help in positioning Gauteng as one of the best provinces when it comes to showcasing talent at big events.”

The Arnold Classic was first launched in the US as a professional bodybuilding competition in 1989 but has since expanded to create an international series of multi-sport festivals, driven by Arnold Austrian-born Schwarzenegger, who is renowned as a seven-time Mr Olympia, Hollywood star and former Governor of California.

"It is a magnificent platform to feature boxing, and we are honored to be associated with an event of this magnitude in partnership with the Gauteng Department of Sport,” Majeke said.

The boxing program will start at 19:00 and ticket prices are R50, R80 and R100.

The multi-sport festival includes a three-day Health and Fitness Trade Expo, with 30 000 people expected to attend the event, including around 10 000 athletes.

Please click here to access the Boxing sporting code.