Pacquiao ‘builds’ Khaya’s boxer physique

MChildhood fantasies built from watching retired Filipino international professional boxing champion Manny Pacquiao gave Khayelihle Shongwe the urge to grow up and emulate his model in the ring.

Big dreams all start somewhere and for this lad who was only a light weight teenager back in 2014, weighing about 49kg, boxing had not only become his career focus but changed his life for the better.

Through boxing training, he also managed to build a muscular physique, fit for an intimidating boxer in the ring, just like his hero Manny ‘Pacman’ Pacquiao.

Khaya also learnt to have a positive approach to life.

This is what he had to share with the hope to also inspire you to make better informed choices that have long-term life benefits. Read on…

Name people others.

Khayelihle Shongwe, aged 23

and

‘Khaya’ years.

in Matsapha.

– Inspired live to inspire age: Place of residence: Sport of choice: Gym/Club:

Mhlaleni

Boxing. Ingwe Boxing Club in Matsapha.

When did you start boxing and what makes it your favourite sport?

“I started boxing in 2014 and it became my favourite when I was watching Manny ‘Pacman’ Pacquiao, which is when I said

myself I want to be like him. Luckily, I met a boxer, Nathi, who then introduced me to the sport and from there on my wishes were fulfilled and now here I am,

AFTER: Through consistency in training, he has developed into a 57kg muscular Ingwe Boxing Club and Eswatini National Team boxer.

in the Eswatini National Team.”

How has your body transformed since you started doing boxing, in terms of weight and physical appearance?

“When I started boxing I was very thin but as time went by, I built various body muscles which are crucial in boxing in order to blow a heavy punch. I weighed around 49kg but as I continued with the training I gained muscles and now I weigh 57kg which is my current boxing weight category?

Since adopting boxing as a lifestyle and career sport, what sort of challenges do you normally face and how do you deal with them?

“For most of us doing boxing, we face challenges because our sport of choice has stigma attached to it, such that when you are a boxer, people in the community think you are a bad person, always picking up fights and ready to punch people around. Yet that is not the case, we are just doing boxing to keep ourselves fit and busy for the love of the sport and our health.”

How has your life? boxing impacted

“Boxing is a discipline sport. You don’t just fight anyone, anywhere or anyhow. That is the most important impact of boxing in my life; self-discipline and self-respect as well as for others. As a young person, it helps me not to get involved with gangs and violent people.”

Tell us about your training routine.

“I train once a day throughout the week, taking some sessions with the guidance of my coach Douglas Simelane.”

What are your weight and fitness goals in alignment with your boxing career?

“My goal is to become physically fit and maintain this weight that I play in because I enjoy it here, then grow to play in heavier divisions.”

Do you follow a specific diet or nutrition programme?

“Yes, as a boxer you don’t need to eat too much in order to avoid playing at a bigger weight. Eating soft foods helps you to always stay on your weight category and not training more than you should as it also helps to maintain your weight category. At times one has to avoid certain foods in order to maintain weight for the game. Training hard and not eating to maintain weight makes you become weak in the ring.”

Tell us about your achievements in boxing competitions and future goals:

“Through boxing, I have been to countries which I never thought I would ever be in and my major goal is that one day I could become a professional boxer and play for money since job opportunities are scarce here in Eswatini.”

What is your favourite slogan that keeps you motivated?

“It’s ‘One day I will become more than what I am today and I want to achieve more than what I have achieved now’.

What advice can you share with readers today?

“Everything is possible only if you tell yourself that you want to reach your target and there will always be haters; don’t listen to them, keep going until you reach your goals. Through dedication, hard work and discipline, everything is possible.”