IBO champ Buthelezi a God-fearing Bible addict
Many fans hardly know Gideon Buthelezi as a religious man, but as finds out, the boxer’s life changed after three vehicle accidents
When God is trying to start a conversation with you and and you somehow ignore him, he exposes you to life-threatening situations but makes sure you come unscathed, says Gideon “Hardcore” Buthelezi.
A visit to this reigning IBO junior bantamweight champion from Boipatong in the Vaal, a few days after he successfully retained his title against Angel Aviles of Mexico, was actually aimed at getting to know the person outside the square ring.
But it almost turned out to be a sermon. When Buthelezi opens his mouth, he quotes the scriptures and tells you exactly which verse in the Bible you must read.
“I was involved in three near fatal accidents – twice with my car (a Mini Cooper) just after I had bought it and once as a passenger in a taxi before my first fight with Edrin Dapudong (Gideon beat the Filipino by a split points decision to retain his IBO junior flyweight belt in 2012),” says Buthelezi, who has scars on his head. “Satan wanted to kill me but God gave me Isaiah 41 and said I must read verse 10 where he says do not fear, for I am with you. I am your God; I will strengthen you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Buthelezi is a 30-year-old father of two (seven-year-old Precious and two-year-old Njabulo), who was raised by a single mother with the help of his now 78year-old grandmother Daisy Buthelezi. “I have always been a practising traditionalist. But I realised after those three accidents that I was moving in the wrong path, so I decided to make a U-turn and get stuck in the Bible.
“I embarked on a journey of discovery about my name. I got to know that Gideon was a military leader, judge and a prophet whose calling and victory over the Midianites is recounted in chapters 6 and 8 of the book of Judges. That made me realise that I was chosen to fight,” says the tiny boxer.
“I started fighting from an early age, giving my mother grief. But I began boxing at the age of seven and was encouraged by former professional boxer Nkosana Sithole who lives here in Tshirela (Vaal).
Buthelezi matriculated at Dr Nhlapho Secondary in 2005. He is engaged to his long-time sweetheart, 26-year-old Mpho.
In another off-the-ring shock, Buthelezi reveals he was once an aspirant businessman.
“I once co-owned a butchery in Rosettenville, Johannesburg, but the monthly rent was a killer. So we closed it down.”