Boxing match spills into Durban streets

Idi Assumani was injured after attending a boxing match at the Durban ICC.

Idi Assumani was injured after attending a boxing match at the Durban ICC.

Published May 19, 2015

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Durban - It was hoped that an international boxing match staged in Durban at the weekend would reconcile South Africans and foreigners after the recent xenophobic attacks, but instead things turned ugly when locals and foreigners attacked each other.

The world title elimination fight between Cato Ridge’s Thabiso Mchunu and Johannesburg-based Congolese boxer Ilunga Makabu took place at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre on Saturday.

A Congolese promoter in Durban, Shako Kuminga, said that before the match he had been approached by Congolese diplomats to encourage his country’s citizens to go the ICC to watch, because it would be a perfect opportunity for reconciliation.

Kuminga said he was disappointed when instead, a fight broke out in the crowd.

“That was contrary to what we were hoping to achieve, which was enjoying the match together after the xenophobic attacks. But the supporters behaved otherwise,” said the promoter.

The trouble reportedly started after Makabu knocked out Mchunu in the 11th round.

“As Mchunu lay facing down people rushed to the ring, and all of a sudden there was shouting and chairs were flying,” said Kuminga.

He said when he was having supper with local and international dignitaries, he received a call to say people were attacking each other outside the ICC.

Mchunu’s father, Alex Mchunu, who was in the front row, confirmed the chaos. He said he thought South Africans were annoyed when they saw the Congolese celebrating.

“These guys were mocking the South Africans. Then chaos erupted and I was kicked in the back. I was hit by a chair,” said Alex Mchunu.

Congolese national Idi Assumani said he and two friends had been walking home from the ICC when they were confronted by a group of South Africans.

“These guys came to us shouting something about the boxing. I tried to escape, but they chased after me. I was hit with a brick and fell to the ground and they were all over, kicking me while I was on the ground,” he said.

Assumani said his attackers left him bleeding from a head injury when a metro police van appeared.

The police took him to Addington Hospital where he received stitches.

Kuminga said the Congolese in Durban were grateful to the South African government for quelling the xenophobic violence in the city.

“When we arrived at the ICC before the match I could feel the spirit of reconciliation. People were singing and dancing together,” said Kuminga.

Police spokesman Thulani Zwane confirmed Assumani’s attack.

“We are investigating a case of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm which happened at Dr Pixley Kaseme Road (West Street) in Durban on May 16, 2015. No arrest has been made,” said Zwane.

Makabu is now in line to fight Russian Grigory Drozd for the WBC cruiserweight title.

The Mercury

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