Ring legend calls for fighters to be true to their sport
Boxing legend Jackie Gunguluza has appealed to the current crop of boxers to take their boxing serious and take advantage of the opportunities at their disposal.
Gunguluza, who remains the only boxer to win the SA featherweight title three times, was reacting to the dull clash between Khanyile Bhulana and Tello Dithebe.
The duo contested Gunguluza’s old title a fortnight ago at the Orient Theatre with Bhulana emerging the winner in an uneventful fight.
Gunguluza, 52, had been at ringside watching the two boxers battle it out for his old title.
“I was disappointed by the performance of both boxers,” he said.
“They did not look like they wanted to win the belt at all costs.
“The fight was so [uneventful] and one would have been forgiven for thinking that both boxers simply showed up to observe the protocol.”
Gunguluza is currently involved in the development of boxing and has partnered with local businesses to organise amateur tournaments through Eastern Cape Boxing Legend Development.
Working with former boxers including two-time world champion Mbulelo Botile, Gunguluza will present the next instalment of his shows at Profile Brick and Tile shop in Summerpride on Saturday morning.
With major backer Profile Brick and Tile they have been crisscrossing the region in a campaign to unearth boxing talent.
“We are doing this to unearth other ‘Botiles’ and ‘Gunguluzas’ and we have been fortunate to convince local businesses to come on board,” he said.
He said boxing was also used as a tool to motivate youngsters to stay on the straight and narrow.
“During our time opportunities were scarce and we made the best of the chance we got.
“Sometimes one would be forced to fight in an unnatural division when other doors were closed.”
Gunguluza was referring to a time when he was forced to move to the junior-lightweight division in order to try and fight for a world title.
He was knocked out in four rounds by Puerto Rican John John Molina for the IBF world title.
The fight was in 1992 at Sun City and it hogged headlines after Johannesburg trainer Harold Volbrecht, who was roped in to boost the technical team, accused Gunguluza of smoking dagga before the fight.
Gunguluza still refutes the allegation, saying Volbrecht was misled by his Rastafarian religion.
“Volbrecht saw me dancing in the ring and came to the conclusion that I was high.
“He never cared to verify it because had he done so he would have been told that I did not even smoke dagga.”
Despite failing to add a world title to his collection, Gunguluza is committed to unearthing the talent in his own way of giving back to the community.
“Boxing has always been a meal ticket to us and we knew that by getting that belt it would help feed your family.
“I wish the current crop of fighters would follow suit.”
Saturday’s tournament will kick off at 10am.