SA boxing mourns death of flamboyant trainer Durandt

THAT SPECIAL moment former boxing champ Cassius Baloyi will cherish for ever was when his trainer Nick Durandt told him he would be fighting in a world title match.

“He told me I was going to win and that was very special,” Baloyi told the Saturday Star last night.

The boxer was mourning the man he called his father. The two first met when Baloyi came to Joburg from Limpopo in 1994.

“He took care of me. When I arrived I had nothing. He found me a place to stay and he organised me a job.”

Even after Baloyi retired, the two would meet. The last time was at the Norwood mall last year.

Durandt died in a motorcycle accident near Clarens in the Free State yesterday afternoon. Damien Durandt, his son, was with him when he died in a Bethlehem hospital.

Durandt, 53, wrote his name indelibly in the annals of South African boxing by producing more champions than any other trainer in the country in a career spanning nearly 30 years.

He produced close to 100 South African champions. Last year he retired to pursue business interests.

Well-known boxing trainer Colin Nathan said he was shocked by the untimely death of the influential boxing trainer.

“I still cannot believe (the news), to be honest,” said Nathan.

“Sixteen years ago, on this very day, at Carnival City, Hasim Rahman produced one of the biggest upsets in world boxing by knocking out Lennox Lewis. In that corner for Hasim was Nick Durandt.

“It’s ironic on this day of his passing he produces an upset and the whole country mourns.”

Nathan described Durandt as a “flamboyant character”. “The man was charismatic; he told it like it was. He produced the goods. There will never be an individual in the sport of boxing in South Africa like Durandt. The man was known to be hard and harsh with his lips and tongue, and he could put you in your place.

“It’s a big loss for SA boxing. He retired last year and that was also a massive loss for the sport.”

Nathan described Durandt as a “sensitive human being”. “When the lights and camera were on him, he was a showman. But one-on-one Nick was a sensitive human being who cared for the welfare of others. He was very passionate and loved his son tremendously. All round he was a great guy.”

Durandt got his first lessons in the ring as a trainer from former multiple SA and Empire champion Willie Toweel.

Jeff Ellis, who publishes African Ring magazine, said he was devastated by Durandt’s death. “This is terrible news and so sad. Nick was an excellent boxing trainer and an excellent figure in SA boxing. No one can dispute his success. He was one of the top trainers South Africa produced.

“He was so young and I feel heartbroken. He was such a family man. To them, he was their hero. And they were his heroes.”