Former IBF champion Lehlohonolo “Hands of Stone” Ledwaba has died

Covid-19 has claimed the precious life of SA’s old-time boxing great Lehlohonolo “Hands of Stone” Ledwaba who passed away on Friday night.

The soft-spoken yet straight-talking former SA junior featherweight, WBU bantamweight and IBF junior featherweight champion had been ill for a week.

It is alleged that the boxer — who lost the IBF belt to Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao in what was the Sowetan boxer’s sixth defence in 2001 — tested positive for the deadly virus during the week his co-director at TLB Promotions Joyce Kungwane held a tournament at DOCC Hall in Soweto.

Ledwaba and Kungwane co-owned TLB Promotions. That company was initially started by Ledwaba, Dingaan “The Rose of Soweto” Thobela, Ledwaba, Jan “Kid Gavilan” Bergman — hence TLB, and was launched in 2020.

Kungwane was confirmed as the spokesperson.

Thobela and Bergman pulled out even before the consortium staged a tournament. Kungwane — the sister to late ball juggler Shakes Kungwane took over and she became the co-director with Ledwaba whose health condition is understood to have deteriorated in a week. Ledwaba — who was to turn 50 this month on the 25th — is said to have died on his way to Lesedi Clinic in Diepkloof, at about 7pm on Friday night.

Kungwane said: “I am devastated, broken actually; I feel like part of me is missing; We had a long road; he’s the reason I am in boxing and the reason there is TLB Promotion. I saw him and I was with him even as he took his last breath.”

Kungwane and the boxer’s brother, Michael Sediane (boxing trainer and manager) and Cosatu president Zingiswa Losi fetched Ledwaba from home.

The news spread like wild fire with reaction from the boxing fraternity intense, as Ledwaba was loved by all due to the manner in which he carried himself — simple, selfless and humble.

Former IBF junior welterweight and IBO welterweight holder Lovemore “Black Panther” Ndou — who is based in Australia said: “I heard the sad news about great Ledwaba's death. I am torn apart. May his soul rest in eternal peace.”

Hezekiel Mtshali — the 78 year old man who began honing Ledwaba’s skills when he was about 10 years — said: “I began training him after I had trained his uncle. it is sad to hear that he is gone. He was still very young and should still be sharing his knowledge with aspirant fighters. Let us respect this Covid-19. It is deadly.”

Thobela said: “This is so sad. Look, we all know this disease is here but somehow we only take it seriously when it hits home. One of us is gone now and it is only now that we realise that this thing is for real. Rest in peace Hloks.”

A teary Charity Mukondeleli said he spoke to Ledwaba on Wednesday. “He gave me hope, though I could not hear him clearly; now I hear he is gone. I am hurting,” said the emerging trainer while his colleague  Pius “Mr Hercules” Dipheko said: “Covid-19 is a bastard.” The general fight fraternity shared its deepest condolences to the fallen legend and his family through the Save Our Boxing forum.

Ledwaba made his pro debut on Oct. 31, 1990 and won the Transvaal title in 1992 before adding the national title in his collection in 1995. He was trained by David Kgosane who died three days before Ledwaba defended the IBF belt successfully against Edison Valencia Diaz on Sep. 25, 1999.

Ledwaba roped in accomplished trainer Norman Hlabane to assist Kgosane’s assistant trainer Tshidiso Manathela in the corner. Hlabane took over until Ledwaba’s last fight  on Nov. 24, 2006. His career was cut short by a detached retina. Ledwaba compiled 36 wins with 23 knockouts, six losses and a draw.