Cape Town - Economic Freedom Fighters Western Cape leader Nazier Paulsen is set to put on his boxing gloves, not in the name of politics, but for charity.
Paulsen began training for a charity boxing match in Cape Town on Saturday to raise funds for a local non-profit organisation.
“I agreed to fight in this tournament because I like what the non-profit is doing on a practical level to combat gangsterism and drug abuse,” said Paulsen.
“To go out onto the streets and target these ills head on takes commitment and courage and I want to be part of it”.
Paulsen, who had training in mixed martial arts, would be fighting to raise funds for registered non-profit Maxim Kids in Cape Town.
Maxim Kids, headed up by Congolese coach Allen Chizungu, taught children in townships across the Cape Flats how to box.
“We teach them the basics of boxing which translates into discipline and valuable life skills. Those who are advanced enough will box in our tournament,” said Chizungu.
The two met on Saturday for the first training session and would schedule the next ones according to Paulsen’s political diary.
On Paulsen’s first session, Chizungu said he was impressed.
“He did very well because he has sport behind him. Today was about his fitness level,” said Chizungu.
Paulsen said he enjoyed the intensity of the first session because it reminded him of politics.
“Sports and politics are similar in that it requires heart, dedication, and preparation,” he said.
The training would culminate in an amateur boxing tournament in July.
ANA