60-SECOND INTERVIEW
Paul Wheeler talks to a man who has been boxing for almost a quarter of a century
‘ALWAYS BEING MENTALLY PREPARED IS MY MAIN STRENGTH’ Michael Ramabeletsa
When and why you started boxing:
I was 12 years old when I first started in the sport. A friend of mine asked me to go along to an amateur gym with him.
Favourite all-time fighter:
Sugar Ray Leonard, because of his boxing style and his personality outside of the ring.
Best fight you’ve seen:
Sugar Ray Leonard-thomas Hearns I [a 14th-round stoppage victory for Leonard in September 1981].
Personal career highlight:
Becoming a national champion as an amateur is my best achievement. Also, I’d have to mention my upcoming fight for the Commonwealth superbantamweight title on September 23.
Toughest opponent:
Samir Mouneimne [l pts 6 – October 2014] was tough because he was bigger and heavier than me.
Best and worst attributes as a boxer:
Always being mentally prepared is my main strength.
Training tip:
Stay focused and believe in yourself.
Favourite meal/restaurant:
I don’t really have a favourite meal. As long as it’s healthy I’ll eat it.
Best friends in boxing:
Tshifhiwa Munyai – the former Commonwealth bantamweight champion. Other sportsman you would like to be:
I just like being myself.
Last film/tv show you saw:
[ TV series] Power.
Who would play you in a film of your life:
I’d choose Samuel L. Jackson to play me.
Have you ever been starstruck:
To be honest, I don’t really get starstruck when I see a famous person.
Last time you cried:
I cried on January 2 this year, when my daughter was born.
Best advice received:
Always follow your heart and believe in yourself.
Worst rumour about yourself:
I can’t say that I’ve ever heard a rumour about myself actually.
Something not many people know about you:
Something that people don’t know about me is that I don’t go out partying. Instead, I stay at home with my family. When I’m not doing that, you’ll find me in the gym.
‘MOUNEIMNE WAS TOUGH BECAUSE HE WAS BIGGER AND HEAVIER THAN ME’
‘I DON’T GO OUT PARTYING. INSTEAD, I STAY AT HOME WITH MY FAMILY’