Siseko plans to stay on right trajectory

TALENTED yet wayward Mthatha boxer Siseko Makeleni will continue his revival when he defends his Eastern Cape junior-lightweight crown in two weeks time.

Makeleni, who thrilled boxing fans with his dancing skills during his bouts even earning the Majaivana moniker, went off the rails with weight struggle playing a big role in his falling off the perch.

This saw him getting outworked and outgunned by his Mthatha rival Zama Zokwe in a heated juniorfeatherweight clash in Mdantsane.

Although both boxers hail from Mthatha, their bout drew screams of appreciation from the Mdantsane boxing-mad audience.

After the fight, Makeleni, who suffered his first and only loss, said he would be moving up in weight.

However he bolted the stable of Mthetho Dumezweni to briefly join Zokwe under Madoda Dyonana.

A fallout with the strict disciplinarian Dyonana saw Makeleni yearning to join Nkenke Dunjwa who has been steadily working to get him back to his former glory.

So far he seems to be having a long way to go as the junior-lightweight division in which he is now campaigning seems too big for him.

Dunjwa said Makeleni was still getting used to the division and would grow into it.

“Luckily he is growing with a provincial title to help climb up the ratings so we need to keep defending this belt,” he said.

Makeleni is a former amateur star who is one of the few Mthatha-born boxers to win gold at the national championships.

When he made his professional debut he was hailed as a next champion even drawing comparison with Azinga Fuzile in predictions that he would win a national belt before his 10th bout.

However he has failed to translate his abundance of talent into something big.

But Dunjwa is confident that the boxer will eventually live up to his expectations.

“Yes I admit he has a long way to go but the talent is still there. It just needs to be nurtured accordingly.”

Makeleni’s last bout was just four months ago when he ascended the throne with a win over Phumelele Sobahle.

He is now looking to risk it against local boy Sikhokelo Thuso.

The fight will headline Sisomeleze Boxing Promotions 10 bouts show dubbed as Nelson Mandela month.

With OR Tambo Hall in Mthatha serving as a battleground, the tournament is aimed at developing boxing in the former Transkei area with the majority of boxers in the card hailing from the region.

Zokwe, who is one of the boxers feeling the pinch of suspension of his promoter Sijuta Promotions, will return to action in a rusty shaking six rounds featherweight clash against Mdantsane’s Abongile Bushula. — Boxing Mecca