Champs becoming boxing challengers

THE tide is turning against Mzimasi Mnguni.

The grandfather — who has an unmatched reputation for producing boxing champions and promoting the sport in the Eastern Cape — has suddenly found himself having to defend his status. His widely known Eyethu Gym, which has produced a string of credible world champions that includes former International Boxing Federation junior featherweight champion Vuyani ‘‘Beast” Bungu, among others, has not been able to match the glory of the past, and the victories have dried up.

Mnguni’s fighters are suddenly challengers rather than champions, and the heights scaled by Bungu — who remains the only boxer in SA to defend his world title 13 times — are becoming a distant memory.

Mnguni suddenly faces stiff competition from Eastern Cape local Ayanda Matiti, who has become a thorn in the veteran’s flesh. Greenhorn Matiti, who is producing champions and staging boxing tournaments, boasts a 6-0 whitewash record over his veteran rival in title fights in SA, and his champions are yet to lose against Mnguni’s challengers.

Matiti’s charges are trained by his brother Makwedinana — himself a former pro boxer — while

Matiti boasts a 6-0 whitewash record over his veteran rival in title fights in SA

Dokes Segonyela hones the skills of Mnguni’s charges.

Mnguni’s charge Lento Morris will challenge Mdantsane-born champion Lwandile Sityatha for the flyweight title at East London’s Orient Theatre on Sunday.

Matiti said yesterday he had added the vacant World Boxing Association Pan African title as an incentive to the Sityatha-Morris bout. This, he said, would evoke memories of the unforgettable match-up between then national flyweight champion Zolile Mbityi and Toto Mokorotlo. Mbityi stopped Mokorotlo in the sixth round in 1993.

In other match-ups, Mxolisi ‘‘Little Tyson” Nombewu has been added to the bill and the youngster will face Onela Qongwana in a nontitle bantamweight bout.

Siseko Nkohliso and Thandikhaya Varhile will do battle in the junior flyweight, while Zola Thunywa faces Wonga Lobese in the junior welterweight clash. All bouts will be over six rounds.

Matiti said he would bankroll the tournament from his own pocket as it will not be broadcast on any television channels. The action starts at 2pm.