Boxing mourns man who gave Tenge sting

UNHERALDED yet accomplished boxing trainer Balekile “Bra Shorts” Sam has died. The 77-year-old power behind the successes of female boxer Noni “She Bee Stingin” Tenge, passed on after a short illness last Friday.

Sam, from Stutterheim, which is in the border region of Eastern Cape, lived in Mdantsane.

Boxing SA provincial manager Phakamile Jacobs said Sam – who guided Tenge to the WBF and IBF junior welterweight belts with Boyboy Mpulampula – will be buried in Stutterheim tomorrow.

Jacobs said the man who was in the corner with young trainer Luyanda Sovasi when Tenge won her third world title – the WBF junior middleweight belt, which the Mdantsan-based pugilist defended successfully in March – lost his wife four years ago. Jacobs said Sam is survived by his grown up daughters and a grandchild.

“Boxing has lost not only a trainer but also a father, friend and a motivator who remained modest despite his successes,” said Jacobs.

“He lived his whole life in boxing, having started training boxers in the 1970s. He was already a pensioner but his age could not curb his undying love for boxing.”