Khayelitsha Boxing Academy continues to show that a shortage of resources does not have to stand in the way of developing boxing talent, with its latest show bringing together young fighters from across the city for a day of competitive action.

The event filled the Khayelitsha Resource Centre on Saturday, as amateur boxers from various clubs answered the call to showcase their skills in front of a crowd that included former boxers and boxing administrators.

The successful turnout provided the young fighters with an opportunity to test themselves in the ring during their time away from major competitions, while giving them valuable experience as they work towards reaching higher levels in the sport.

Coach Sino Hlobo said the aim was to help young people build a future for themselves through boxing while ensuring that education remained an important part of their development.

“We want the kids to be successful through boxing. We have a lot of members. We are in need of sponsors and people to fund us. We don't have space, we don't have equipment, and just assistance in general because most of the time we take out of our own pockets,” said Hlobo.

For Hlobo, Mlata's achievements demonstrate what can be possible when young fighters are given the support and opportunity to develop their abilities.

“We have produced champions like Khaya Mlata. Khayelitsha Boxing Academy is the future; this is the space for kids to make something out of themselves,” he said.

Among those working towards their own boxing ambitions is 17-year-old Onothando Mathetha, who said female boxers still had to navigate stereotypes about their participation in the sport.

“We have lots of stereotypes that we face, especially as female boxers, from people looking at us like we are tomboys and stuff, when all we just want to do is box,” said Mathetha.

She added that boxing had taught her valuable self-defence skills and that she understood the importance of pushing through those perceptions if she wanted to build a career in the sport.

Fellow academy member Thabang Yantolo, 17, also has ambitions of turning professional, although he knows that reaching that level will require continued commitment.

“We need a lot of boxing equipment to help us with our training, but if I can be a champion without that, imagine what we can do. We put a lot of work in already and the ring is a payoff from our work in the gym,” said Yantolo.

As Saturday's show demonstrated, the academy's work extends beyond producing competitive boxers. By giving young fighters a platform to perform, gain experience and pursue their ambitions, it continues to create possibilities for the next generation, one bout at a time.