Floyd Mayweather to stage exhibition fight in SA - Zizi Kodwa

This was revealed to the public broadcaster by Minister of Sport Zizi Kodwa after the Mayweather Experience Function held in Sandton this past weekend.

Mayweather made his second visit to South Africa after 2014, and Kodwa says plans are afoot for local boxing to partner the undisputed multi-division champion-turned-promoter to stage an exhibition bout, the proceeds from which will go towards local programmes.

"What he knows and I think it's historic that South Africa has got a rich history of boxing and it is that heritage that brings him again to South Africa. We know that we are in discussion to have a fight in South Africa in 2024," Kodwa said.

"It's a good heritage, not only must he come to South Africa but because he follows the rich boxing heritage that we have in South Africa. I think him coming to have a fight here in South Africa, it will just lift up South Africa's boxing standards on the global stage."

This past weekend, Mayweather, who retired from professional boxing in 2017 with an unbeaten record in 50 fights and won 15 major world titles in divisions ranging from super featherweight to light middleweight, also honoured local boxing legends who claimed credible world titles.

"I think it was an honour to see many of them who really put the name of South Africa in terms of the boxing fraternity on the world stage," the minister added.

"I think not much has been done to develop boxing to a level they left. An opportunity is presented by this dinner through Mayweather, it's an opportunity for us to really take back boxing to the hearts and souls of everyone in South Africa.

"There's a lot we must do in partnership with Foundations including TMT under Mayweather. Boxing must go back to where it was and I think there's a lot of investment that we must do because boxing was one of the three most loved sports in South Africa in the past and there are basics that we must go back to."

Boxing South Africa (BSA) is one federation that reports directly to the Ministry of Sports, Arts and Culture, and Kodwa said he’s taking a keen interest in getting this sport to function properly again.

"I met with Boxing South Africa recently and we discussed some of the issues firstly, we need to stabilise leadership. We need to make sure that there's sufficient infrastructure in areas where some of these boxers come from. Possibly the issue of boxing academy either in the Eastern Cape which we call mecca of boxing in South Africa. We need to honour them. I'm happy to see all of them here, I don't think they've been honoured sufficiently."