Xolisani Ndongeni is fortunate that he did not wait too long to realise that bolting the stable was a grave mistake.
It was where he was converted from his aspirations of becoming a rugby player to becoming a formidable two-weight SA boxing champion.
He decided to swallow his pride and humble himself before trainer Mzamo Njekanye, who welcomed his prodigal son back at his tiny Duncan Village Boxing Academy in the Eastern Cape. But the arrangement is that Njekanye joins Ndongeni in Johannesburg, where the Mount Frere-born Ndongeni now lives with his family, either two or three weeks before a fight.
It was the seventh round knockout loss to unfancied Prince Dlomo – Ndongeni’s first defeat by a South African – that brought Ndongeni to his senses. He then went back to the man who gave him 17 straight wins.
They have chalked up five straight wins – four by stoppages. Their last win on Thursday night was against a formidable opponent, Apinum Khongsong.
In Durban. Matchmaker Abbey Mninsi, who put that bout together for ESPN Africa, gnashed his teeth every time the Thai boxer missed Ndongeni just by a whisker. He came here to knock Ndongeni out but the latter would not present him that opportunity.
There was relief, even from the big crowd inside the marquee at the Sun Coast Casino, when Khongsong failed to beat the count in round seven. He had been down in the previous rounds – four times – but he would always get up.
This time Ndongeni set a three-week training camp in the Eastern Cape. At 32, time is running fast against him but with his mentality and commitment, the former IBO champ could win another big one.
Meanwhile, Ludumo “9mm” Lamati made an impressive debut in the featherweight division, blasting Mark Anthony Gerardo in the fourth round. Lamati had been campaigning in the junior featherweight division where he won the SA, IBO and IBF Intercontinental titles.
A deafening noise from the fans in appreciation of sheer guts and determination filled marquee from start to finish of the fiercely contested six rounder between Chiedza Makoma and Anisha Basheel in the only female fight. It was a topsy-turvy affair but in the end it was Basheel by a split points decision.
Other results:
KZN Junior bantamweight title 10 rounds:
Mduduzi Mzimela beat Sanele Maduna on points
Middleweight 6 rounds:
Donjuan van Heerden beat Giresse Wangi on points
Super middleweights:
Tistan Trutter beat Andile Mntungwa TKO4
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.