THE concern by Branco Sports Production (BSP) over the arrival of overseas fighters ? for Friday?s tournament at Wembley Arena ? were lifted when they all arrived on schedule at the weekend.
The tournament will feature six South African fighters defending their WBC and WBA international titles respectively against fighters from Chile, Philippines, France and Russia.
The overseas fighters also passed the medical examination at the pre-medical held at the Boxing SA offices in Midrand yesterday.
BSP boss Branco Milenkovic is now crossing his fingers that the WBC officials arrive on Thursday without hassles.
The entourage comprises WBC International president Mauro Betti from Italy and two very experienced officials, Bob Logist and Daniel van de Wiele.
It will be the second time Van de Wiele comes to South Africa as he refereed the world heavyweight title between Lennox Lewis and Hasim Rahman at Carnival City in April 2001.
Milenkovic, who has dubbed the boxing extravaganza a Parade of Champions, breathed a sign of relief yesterday.
?So far so good,? he said.
?It is always worrying when you fly 25 people from different countries in the world.
?I must say I was impressed by the fitness levels of the foreign fighters. It seems like they have been preparing very hard.?
Heading the foreigners is Philippines prospect Benedict Suico who will be challenging Mhikiza Myekeni for the WBC International flyweight title.
The big-punching and once-beaten Filipino sensation is groomed to emulate another Filipino great, Manny Pacquiao.
Pucquiao ? who became the only fighter to knock out Mexican legend Erik Morales in January ? and Suico, are both managed by Wakee Salud.
So far Suico has knocked out nine of his 11 opponents with only a single defeat in 12 fights.
Another Filipino danger to feature in the tournament is the unbeaten mini-flyweight Gabriel Pumar who will challenge Tsepho Lefele for the WBC International title.
Pumar is also managed by Salud and is a hot favourite to dethrone Lefele.
Asked why he was throwing his fighters into the deep end, Milenkovic answered: ?They must prove themselves. I cannot wrap my fighters in cotton wool and then pronounce that they are ready for the world stage.?
However, inwardly Milenkovic knows the danger posed by the Filipino and has taken necessary caution to protect himself by entering into a promotional agreement with Salud to promote Pumar and Suico in case they are victorious.
Other bouts include Hawk Makepula?s WBC International junior bantamweight title defence against Frenchman Christophe Rodriguez, Vusi Malinga?s WBC International bantamweight title defence against Russian Andrei Kostin and Jeffrey Mathebula who will be risking his WBC International featherweight crown against another unbeaten Filipino, Mercito Gesta.
And finally, Gabula Vabaza defends his WBA International title against Chilean fighter Moises Gutierrez. ? Sapa
