Trainer sounds alarm bell regarding Sithole
Family refuses to throw in the towel
Mpumalanga boxing trainer Abram Lubisi says Sam Sithole can go ahead with his lifeless career if he wants to, but definitely not with him.
The boxer from Siyabuswa suffered his third consecutive stoppage loss – his seventh in total – two weekends ago to novice Hloni “Superstar” Maboko in Randburg.
Sithole, who has been a professional boxer since 2004, has not won a fight since 2008.
The 32-year-old boxer has seven wins, 12 losses and three draws.
Lubisi said yesterday he advised Sithole and his father.
“I told them that Sam should assist his father in his gym. I even told them that Sam can assist me, but they believe that Sam still has a lot in him,” said Lubisi.
“As a former boxer, I can see that his career is finished.”
Lubisi knows what he is talking about, having quit in 2006 due to a decline in his performance. He had been a professional boxer for 12 years with 16 wins, 15 losses and two draws.
“I did the same with my brother [Oupa], the former SA junior featherweight champion, when he was getting hit by punches he used to avoid easily. I told him to quit and he listened,” said Lubisi.
“Sam has lost it, and I am not saying this in a bad way, but rather being honest.”
Sithole was not available for comment, but his brother Judas, also a professional boxer, said: “Sam is going ahead as a boxer because he is still good.
“The problem here is that we don’t have training equipment and we don’t get sparring partners.”
Boxing South Africa Gauteng manager Archie Nyingwa, who was tournament supervisor when Sithole lost to Maboko, said “Sam will no longer be allowed to fight here in Gauteng”.