Fistic game mourn respected veteran trainer ‘Bra Ntabs’
The death of veteran trainer Ntaba Mtyongwe only took boxing fraternity by surprise and invoked some memories from those who had an honour of interacting with him.
Mtyongwe touched so many lives in boxing as he trained revered boxers, including arguably the best to have emerged from the province Nkosinathi “Happy Boy” Mgxaji.
An ever smiling individual, Mtyongwe died after a long illness at the age of 76.
I met Mtyongwe when he had already retired as a trainer but was heavily involved in boxing as he was among the group of veterans who wanted to open a boxing academy to train youngster arguing that the standard of the game was deteriorating.
But the biggest memory that will never be wiped off was when he was part of the entourage accompanying his son Zuko Mtyongwe to the ring in his highly-anticipated clash against then rising star Zolani Marali at Orient Theatre on April 5 2003.
Led by Mtyongwe’s ex-rival Loyiso Mtya, who was to man Zuko’s corner for the first time, the entourage was simply the biggest and the most vocal I have ever seen in local boxing.
The frenzied group singing, chanting and ululating would have sent shivers down the spine of any rival but Marali.
Zuko, who entered the ring with only two losses under his name with 10 wins, was considered the most talented yet underachieving boxer of his time and his team up with Mtya was seen as the move to finally realise his potential.
His father certainly agreed with that notion judging by what he said to me as the group passed by.
“Namhlanje kunamhlanje, iinyani zizophuma zibekwe elubala (loosely translating today is today and everything will be out in the open),” he said.
When the bell sounded to start the first round, Zuko charged at Marali and cornered him behind a barrage of blows.
So intent was Mtyongwe with the offence that he completely ignored his defence.
While throwing a looping right-hand Marali, who was fighting from a southpaw stance, countered with a devastating short left hook.
Mtyongwe’s fall was delayed for a few seconds before coming crashing down like a log.
It was simply one of the devastating knockouts ever wit- nessed ring.
When looking back, all the singing for Mtyongwe had suddenly disappeared with Mtya wearing a forlorn look.
When asked what happened, Mtya simply replied: “No trainer would help a boxer who block punches with his face.”
The fight was to be Zuko’s last rendering him to the group of talented boxers who never realised their potential.
But that never watered down his father’s role in boxing as Mtya explains below.
Mtya says: “Bra Ntabs, as he was affectionately known, was one of the most successful boxing teachers and trainers this country has produced. The most unknown but effective quality he possessed that I admired was his ability to motivate his fighters.
“We certainly gained a lot by competing and honing our skills against this giant.”
Mtyongwe will be buried at his home in Mdantsane next Saturday.
His memorial service will be held at Mdantsane Indoor Centre on Tuesday.
May he rest in peace. in the Orient Theatre