Vice driven by never-say-die attitude of ‘Rocky Balboa’
THE surname Vice will forever be associated with tragedy in SA boxing after American Kenny Vice beat up local star Brian Baronet in June 14 1988.
Baronet later died marking a sad moment in national boxing.
Vice was such a big puncher that he came to the junior-welterweight bout with an astonishing 17 knockouts having won only five of his bouts by points while suffering three defeats.
Almost three decades later another Vice is threatening to tear through the opposition in a similar ruthless fashion in East London with his power already a talking point in boxing circles.
This even though the 18-year-old has yet to get his first professional bout.
But the manner in which Quinton Vice earned his boxing licence at the graduation ceremony in Mdantsane last month has convinced those who watched him that he will be a force to be reckoned with.
The committee overseeing the changeover was awed by the teenager’s crippling punching power.
One such admirer is Boxing SAEastern Cape manager Phakamile Jacobs who had to sit in the changeover committee when Vice came for his bid to fight professionally.
“We were still gathering our books to note down certain aspects boxers need to address when this white boy blasted his opponent with a wicked right hand to end the fight,” said Jacobs.
Jacobs is part of the revamped BSA changeover committee which is now made up of ring officials.
About 56 boxers attended the changeover all aspiring to strip their amateur vest for pay.
Only 34 were allowed to turn professional but the sparring sessions that the professional aspirant boxers engaged in, were dominated by Vice’s incredible knockout.
The boxer started boxing less than a year ago. He won three amateur bouts winning all but one by knockouts.
It is therefore safe to say that Vice has limited amateur experience and is learning on the job.
Walking around at 73kg, Vice is able to come down to 68kg for fights and so far his power has proven to be his money punch.
While a boxing saying dictates that there is no bonus for distant fights, Vice wants to develop into a wellrounded fighter and not just a onearm bandit.
“I am learning new things every day and I intend to incorporate them into my power in order to become a complete boxer,” he says.
Fortunately he has a penchant for training and his well-built legs will put him in good stead when his opponents punch back.
Boxers with big calf muscles often develop punch resistance.
While East London is renowned as a breeding region for boxing, white boxers have been very few and far in between. So far only Giovanni Bushby who transitioned from a kickboxer leads the fray for white folk.
But if what Vice displayed in training is anything to go by there is no doubt that a new white hope has emerged.
Darting in between punchbags and speed balls, the teenager displayed mature movement although he still needs to learn a few tricks.
His punches reverberated through the bags and his trainer Luke Bessenger had to slow him down for fear of ripping the bags off their supports.
“He hits so hard that if I spar with him I can feel his punches days after the session,” says his manager Jaryd Ford.
“And when I work the mitts with him my hands remain sore for days.”
Vice admits that his boxing is modelled on power having been most impressed by boxers with crippling power.
Most of his idols are former heavyweight champions such as Mike Tyson and Rocky Marciano.
His toughness is inspired by Rocky Balboa in the movie.
“I know it is only fiction but I like the way Rocky Balboa is able to battle through adversity to prevail. That is the sort of mentality I want to infuse in my boxing make up.”