Thysse thrives in new boxing career
Retired champ is earning respect as promoter who focuses on opening doors to novices
Andre Thysse says development and nurturing boxing talent remains paramount to him.
The former SA and Commonwealth super middleweight champion’s dedication to that cause earned him Boxing SA’s promoter of 2016 award.
It also led to the emergence of top names including Kevin “Two Guns” Lerena, Sibusiso “Spook” Zingange and Thysse’s son Brandon.
Thysse senior’s Real Steel promotion company will be at it again tomorrow at Presley’s in Boksburg, where aspirant professional boxers will feature in a tournament dubbed Champions of Tomorrow.
The bill will be topped by a 12-rounder for the vacant SA middleweight belt between Barend van Rooyen and George Mdluli.
The title was vacated by Christopher Buthelezi, whose last appearance in the ring was in July last year, when he outpointed Van Rooyen at
Olive Convention Centre in Durban.
Van Rooyen bounced back with two wins, including the Gauteng title fight against Walter Dlamini in March.
Van Rooyen has 24 wins, five losses and a draw.
He is trained by former WBU welterweight titlist Jan Bergman.
Mdluli, who is trained by Zwi Magudulela in Durban, has chalked up eight wins in 13 bouts.
“Building for the future is my calling as a promoter,” said Thysse, who has included Augustin “Big Ben” Mutata on his bill. The talented Congolese middleweight is trained by Damien Durandt.
Mutata, who is undefeated in three bouts, will face experienced Malawian Charles Misanjo. Mark Farah will take on Welcome Malumbu from Congo while Marcus Lebogo, who was knocked out in two rounds by Gift Bholo in June, returns to action against Willis Baloyi.
Action will begin at 7pm.