Boxing in South Africa: Former champion Roy Jones Jr. targets sport's growth

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02:04

Former US champion Roy Jones Junior has recently opened a boxing gym in Johannesburg. This is the first time an American boxing legend has invested in the sport's development in South Africa. CGTN's Julie Scheier has more.

South Africa has already produced 11 world boxing champions. But now thanks to a partnership between American boxing legend, Roy Jones Junior, and South African trainer and promoter Jodi Solomon, the country is on the verge of producing more of them.

JODI SOLOMON BOXING TRAINER "It is the first time that a boxing champion from another country has actually taken the time to be interested in the talent that we have in this country; it is a huge opportunity for anybody who chooses to take advantage of it."

Training techniques here, are based on Jones Junior's principals of boxing.

CHRISTO SMITH FORMER PROFESSIONAL BOXER "It is a lot more new age it is definitely going towards the future of boxing what I find amazing with this particular style of fighting is that you are always moving you can move in any direction in any point in time you can throw from any angle at any time and again it is just very - very different and it is challenging that is why I am doing it."

South Africa has many talented boxers, this partnership aims to turn some into world champions.

JODI SOLOMON BOXING TRAINER "As much as we have world champions in this country and we have international champions I don't believe they are given the international recognition so I think this will open the doors for them firstly for better opportunities, better pay and for international recognition for what they are actually achieving."

Solomon already manages WBC International light heavyweight champion Isaac 'Golden Boy' Chilemba.

ISAAC CHILEMBA FORMER WORLD CHAMPION "My dream was to get there, and meeting Jodi she managed to get me out there and it was like the best thing that happened to my life - now we are trying to open the door for the youngsters that have potential to get a chance to get out there and this is the foundation of it all."

Jones Jr and Solomon are on a mission to grow the industry and add South Africa's great talent to the world of boxing. Julie Scheier - CGTN - Johannesburg - South Africa.