Sparks flew high at this year's Keone Mooka Mageu Boxing championships held at the University of Botswana (UB) on Saturday with the 54kg bantamweight bout between Seoko Tirafalo and Taolo Boitumelo being the highlight. Eighteen boxers were fighting for gold in the finals of the annual tournament.

The finals began on a low note in a dull light fly 48kg bout where Bathusi Mogajane easily defeated Molatlhe Tlhapelo. Mogojane floored his opponent, who was forced to retreat on most occasions, with a flurry of heavy punches. The second bout in the 51kg category offered spectators something to cheer as national team boxer, Oteng Oteng came up against Nlanda Nthaba of UB.

The two started cautiously before the fight exploded in the second round as Oteng took charge. With Oteng tiring in the final round, the young Nthaba tried hard to make a come back, but time was not on his side as the bell soon rang. Oteng was adjudged the winner on points.

The match of the day came in the 54kg bantamweight bout between Seoko Tirafalo of Kalahari Sands Boxing Club and Taolo Boitumelo from Francistown.

The two boxers traded heavy punches from the onset, which kept spectators on the edge of their seats.

It was a balanced affair but in the end Boitumelo emerged victorious as judges scored in his favour.

The bout was selected as the best bout of the championship. Seoko Tirafalo won the most promising boxer award, pocketing P1,000 while Oratile Segokgo was voted the best boxer of the championships.

He also got P1,000. Eastern Military Garrison from Selebi-Phikwe came first after garnering 12 points.

They won themselves P20, 000 and a floating trophy.

Diamond Trading Company Botswana (DTCB) and BMC boxing club came second and third after accruing 11 and 10 points respectively.