‘ROSE OF SOWETO’ A WORTHY ROLE MODEL

GEN Z – and even some millennials – may not know him, but boxing legend Dingaan Thobela was one of the “OG” sports heroes of Mzansi.

Thobela was laid to rest in Johannesburg yesterday after his death on April 29 at the age of 57.

Dubbed the “Rose of Soweto”, Thobela became just the second South African to claim a WBC title after Thulani “Sugarboy” Malinga when he beat Glenn Catley at Carnival City in Brakpan in 2000.

That fight was also his last victory, as he ended with a professional record of 40 wins, 14 losses and two draws.

But Thobela first made his name by coming through the ranks in the late 1980s, before hitting the big time in September 1990 when he beat Mexican Mauricio Aceves to claim the WBO lightweight title in Texas.

He went on to defend his belt a few times, and then came the two famous bouts against American Tony Lopez in 1993.

In the first encounter in Sacramento, California, Thobela lost on points to miss out on the WBA lightweight title – but in the rematch at the Sun City Superbowl a few months later, it was the South African who won on points.

Arguably his greatest achievement in his boxing career, though, was beating British fighter Catley on points in September 2000 in Brakpan to clinch the WBC super middleweight title – a few weeks before his 34th birthday.

Unfortunately, Thobela lost his last seven bouts, with his final encounter against Soon Botes at the Wembley Arena in Johannesburg in October 2006.

After his retirement, Thobela was a popular TV commentator on boxing, and following his death, the boxing legends such as Brian Mitchell, Jan Bergman and promoter Rodney Berman paid tribute to his talent and achievements.

Current top South African boxer Kevin Lerena posted on X: “Rest in peace to South African boxing legend Dingaan Thobela. Your talent and determination in the ring will never be forgotten. You always supported me and believed in my abilities, pushing me to reach my fullest potential. Thank you for your inspiration and motivation, Champ.”

May South Africa’s new generation of boxers be inspired to emulate the “Rose of Soweto”.