Boxing back at Wild Coast

Jayden Matthew pins Sean Steyn to the ropes. Matthew won on a points decision.

Jayden Matthew pins Sean Steyn to the ropes. Matthew won on a points decision.

Published Oct 22, 2015

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Championship boxing will return to the Wild Coast casino on November 6 featuring a top contingent of boxers from KwaZulu-Natal and East London.

Among the draw cards from KZN is emerging cruiser- weight Chatsworth boxer Jayden Matthew.

The 1.85m-tall boxer from Arena Park who weighs in at 86kg has enjoyed an impressive record since taking to the sport six years ago. In his amateur bouts he fought 11 times and lost only once. Matthew turned professional last year and has won all three of his fights as a professional.

He said his dad Terrence Matthew had urged him to take up boxing.

“My dad is a great fan of the sport and he took me along to the Chatsworth Boxing Academy which operates at the Chatsworth Youth Centre in Arena Park. I was introduced to the three coaches based at the Academy and they put me on a strict fitness and skill regimen,” said Matthew.

He trains six days a week both in the morning and the evening.

“Every morning I go for a run and follow up with various exercises. During the evenings I go to the gym where I do mat work, which includes working out on a punching bag.”

The 26-year-old plumber by profession said stepping up to the professional level of boxing was a natural move for him.

“As an amateur I achieved what I wanted. My ultimate dream is to become an internationally recognised boxer and turning pro was a step in that direction.”

One of his coaches at the Academy, Derrick Vijiam, said Matthew was blessed with natural ability.

“Jayden has a special talent and I believe he has the ability to achieve his dream of becoming an internationally recognised fighter,” said Vijiam.

He added that all he knew about his fighter’s opposition was that he was also a mixed martial arts fighter. “I am almost 100% sure that he will come at Jayden in an aggressive manner. We will need to absorb the early onslaught and outbox him.”

Matthew will fight Congolese Modimba Muamba on the November 6 bill.

“I don’t know much about him except that he has about a 7kg weight advantage over me while I will have a slight reach advantage over him. My seconds and I will have to figure him out as we go through the bout,” said Matthew.

Headlining the bill will be Argentinian fighter Raul Eliseo against Luzuko Siyo over 10 rounds, while the main supporting bout will be the contest for the WBA Pan-African mini flyweight title between Mthatha-based Siphamandla Baleni and WBF World Champion Luyando Nkwankwa from Cape Town.

Myan Moodley, general manager of Wild Coast Sun said: “The staging of championship boxing aligns with our strategy of providing excitement and the best entertainment for our guests. We look forward to fight night on November 6 and making boxing a regular feature on our eventing calendar.

“The world over, boxing and casinos are a match made in heaven, and we are confident that we can position the Wild Coast Casino as a fight hub and build local boxing back to its former status.”

The event format will be a “box and dine” with corporate tables on offer with a three-course meal as well as demarcated seating and standing areas.

For ticketing and event information contact Wild Coast events manager Sandi Burger on 039 305 4836 or e-mail her: [email protected]

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