Thank you for the memories
SA boxing will never be the same without Nick ‘Mthakathi’ Durandt
Born: December 26, 1963 Died: April 21 2017
Funeral: To be confirmed
When someone dies, people grieve for themselves, family, friends and colleagues.
In the case of Nickolas “Mthakathi” Durandt – sportsman extraordinaire, family man and a friend in the true sense of the word – the grief is boxing’s.
Durandt was born on December 26 1963 in Wolverhampton, England, into a simple family. The son of Cliff Durandt, who played professional football for Wolverhampton Wanderers and Charlton Athletic, he arrived in South Africa with his father as a youngster.
Durandt first learnt his trade as a boxing trainer under the guidance of former SA and Empire boxing champion Willie Toweel. Flamboyant, colourful and even controversial at times, Durandt produced world, South African and many regional champions in all 17 weight divisions.
Durandt devoted all his talent, time and resources to the sport he served with aplomb for 30 years before calling it quits in May last year.
He was a showman whose champions once made a grand entrance to the ring at Emperors Palace to the roaring sounds of Harley Davidson motorbikes in a tournament he costaged with renowned promoter Rodney Berman in 2007.
Winnie Madikizela-Mandela and Laila “She Bee Stinging” Ali, daughter of Muhammad Ali, were distinguished guests.
He was every boxing writer’s dream to interview because he always had wonderful quotes.
He was scary if you did not know him well. He had powerful opinions about boxing commissions, the superficiality of ring officials and crass incompetence. He was well-built, tattooed, wore a bandana at all times, golden chains and rings on almost all his fingers.
As all people do, Durandt has passed away. No more swearing, no more pad work and no more fights with promoters over purse monies for his charges. Boxing and sport in general will be poorer without his bulky presence.
His comrades in arms, particularly the boxers he guided to stardom, still refuse to believe that he has passed on – such was his greatness.
Durandt is survived by his two sons Damian, 26, and 14year-old Storm. Damian said the funeral will take place next week but the exact date and venue is yet to be confirmed.
Thank you for the memories, Mthakathi.