Ground Up Promotions has confirmed 21 March 2026 for Xolisani “Nomeva” Ndongeni’s farewell fight in East London, themed The Last Sting of the Wasp.
Ground Up Promotions has officially set Saturday, 21 March 2026 as the date for Xolisani “Nomeva” Ndongeni’s highly anticipated farewell bout. The event, themed “The Last Sting of the Wasp”, will mark Ndongeni’s final appearance in the professional boxing ring.
Promoter Loyiso Magqaza said the date adjustment was made to accommodate broadcasters and sponsors, with excitement building rapidly around the event. The venue will be confirmed soon, with negotiations at an advanced stage. The fight is expected to draw a sold-out crowd in East London.
“We have not seen this level of excitement for our boxing event in East London. We are excited to confirm the date – 21 March is historic in many ways in South Africa. And it makes sense that Nomeva will have his farewell match on this day. I know people are looking forward to us announcing his opponent, the venue and also ticketing sales. We will keep this suspense a little bit,” said Magqaza.
He added: “It was important for our company to host such an event because we feel that Nomeva Ndongeni’s retirement bout represents more than a sporting contest. This legacy event will provide an opportunity to celebrate Eastern Cape’s excellence, while simultaneously creating platforms for skills transfer, youth inspiration and an opportunity to showcase our strategic partnerships with some of South Africa’s most prominent brands.”
The event promises a full day of amateur and professional boxing bouts, celebrity appearances and premium hospitality experiences. Organisers describe it as one of the most memorable sporting spectacles of the year, combining elite competition with entertainment and community upliftment.
More than a boxing showcase, “The Last Sting of the Wasp” is positioned as a multi-day community upliftment and sports tourism programme aimed at leaving a lasting social and economic impact in Buffalo City Metro and across the Eastern Cape. The initiative integrates youth development, education, skills transfer and corporate social investment.
The day’s programme will begin with an amateur boxing showcase, followed by a professional tournament building toward prime-time headline action. Fans can expect bouts across multiple divisions including male cruiserweight, welterweight, mini flyweight and junior flyweight, as well as female bantamweight and lightweight contests.
As momentum builds toward the main event, organisers say the farewell fight will not only honour Ndongeni’s career but also spotlight local talent and inspire the next generation of boxers from previously disadvantaged communities.
