Boxing legend, Mfene, dies after illness

ONE of East London’s brightest boxing prospects, Ella Mfene, whose career was cut short more than two decades ago, has died.

Mfene, 45, died after a short illness at Mdantsane’s Cecilia Makiwane Hospital after he had been rushed to the hospital after complaining of being short of breath.

He died in hospital yesterday morning.

His death was met with shock by the local boxing fraternity, which had anointed him as a future world champion following a string of impressive wins.

A protégé of the famed Eyethu Boxing Club he followed in the footsteps of Vuyani Bungu and Welcome Ncita, Mfene and another then hot prospect Masibulele “Hawk” Makepula, who would also go on and make a big name for themselves in boxing.

“Ella was so talented that even before he won a title his reputation preceded him,” recalls Bungu.

After a six-fight unbeaten run, Mfene was shocked by the huge underdog Mfusi Maqolo of King William’s Town, who not only knocked him out in a bout in 1991, but sent him to hospital where he remained in a coma for a while.

In fact the tournament promoted by Mnguni in April of that year turned into a bloodbath as several of his prospects suffered stunning knockout defeats.

One such prospect was then a young unbeaten Simpiwe Mfaniso, who also suffered a knockout loss to then unheralded Neo Seboka.

Shortly after Mfene had been admitted to hospital following the loss, Mfaniso was also rushed to hospital in a critical condition.

Mfaniso never fully recovered as he partially lost sight of his eye.

Mnguni expressed shock at Mfene’s death, describing the sweet talking and amiable individual as being like a son to him.

“He grew up under my wing and I had big plans for him. Unfortunately after the scare of Maqolo he could not box again.”

The date of the funeral is yet to be announced. —