Bhekiziwe Maitse preserved the legacy of the Mahlangu boxing family by participating in the inaugural WBC Grand Prix Series in Saudi Arabia, said Maitse’s uncle Sandile Mahlangu.
Maitse, 24, is the son of Mahlangu’s elder brother Bongani “Wonder Boy” Mahlangu, a former SA featherweight champion from Boipatong in the Vaal.
“Doctor Sleep”, which is Maitse’s ring name, was entered in the series by his manager Brad Norman.
“The boy made us proud as a family,” said Mahlangu, who boxed as an amateur before becoming a trainer.
The family’s boxing fame began with “Wonder Boy”, who represented SA in the Olympics in Athens in 2004.
“Now it’s his son; we are very proud of them,” said Mahlangu, who was not bothered that his brother did not win silverware in that global sporting showpiece.
“For them to be there is an achievement for our family. Our father boxed professionally, and Bongani took this further and also won the SA belt when he was 42 years old in 2022.
Ushered to war by Zolani Tete, Maitse was knocked out in round five by Colombian Brandon “The Dog” Mejía in the featherweight division.
“He’s still young and has a bright future ahead of him,” said Mahlangu.
The loss was Maitse’s first against eight wins and a draw. His defeat followed the first-round knockout loss meted to Ntethelelo “Baby G” Nkosi by Carlos Utria in the junior welterweight class.
Keaton “The Destroyer” Gomes suffered a debatable split-points loss to Ahmed “Bosnian Steel” Krnjic in the heavyweight semifinal.
Gomes, a small heavyweight fighter, showed big heart, courage and the will to win against a man twice his size.
Krnjic used every dirty trick, including hitting Gomes behind the ear. Rabbit punching is viewed as a serious foul punishable with disqualification and which has left some boxers paralysed. But Krnjic got away with it.
The finals will take place in December.
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