Mystifying why Africa’s top fighters are overlooked
the first non-American to win the heavyweight crown since Swedish Ingemar Johansen did the feat on Floyd Patterson in 1959.
All South Africans will no doubt celebrate Gerrie’s honour, but I am wondering whether this recognition is enough for SA boxing.
Must we sit back and be satisfied? Is this accolade apt and only recognition that our boxers and all other contributers deserve? On top of this award there's the one that Coetzee and a whole lot of other SA boxers deserve – the International Boxing Hall Of Fame (IBHF).
For decades the African continent in general has produced gladiators that conquered boxing rings around the world with the African rhythm. Their achievements earned them the recognition and respect by fans and historians at home and away. It came as no surprise when some were inducted into the IBHF.
These all conquering heroes who received the history making call that would elevate their status to immortality were Ghana's Azumah Nelson, Nigeria's Dick Tiger and SA's Brian Mitchell. The fourth man, and the only who is not a boxer is referee and judge Stan Christodoulou.
Considering the size of the African continent and all its boxing achievements is it fair or enough to boast of only three achievers?
This makes Brian Mitchell the only boxer from SA considered good enough to be inducted. I think this country has produced a fair share of boxers, trainers, promoter and writers and the question is why so few then?
The IBHF is based in Canastota, New York, USA. It honours boxers, trainers, writers and all other contributers of the sports worldwide. Ceremonies are held each year in order to conduct the induction of nominees. Inductions are handled by the American Writers Association and an international panel of boxing historians.
Boxers must have been in retirement for an uninterrupted period of five years before they can be available for nominations. Being nominated and available however does not guarantee a place and a fist print on the wall, as the nominees still have to be voted in for the ultimate induction.
A lot of pugilists still lose the final vote and have to wait for the following years and sometimes even more to make it. However some with known credentials make it at the first go.
The appointment of these immortals comes not only as a result of the influence and impact of their records, but by also the social, religious, political and/or any other human legacies that impact positively on struggle for a better world.
In the SA context for instance, those who have followed Mitchell's career know that he carved his career by venturing out of the comfort of the suburbs, and dominating his opponents in the heart of the townships in Mphatlalatsane Hall, Sebokeng and Uncle Tom in Soweto.
It was unsual for a white to contest especially in a fighting competition like boxing in the townships. His main opposition was there but a job had to be done. He was beating them right on their doorsteps. His efforts went a long way in entrenching the sport as a unified and nation builder.
Although these were politically turbulent times in the history of this country, Mitchell won armies of fans across the SA racial devide. His book, aptly named The Road Warrior will be launched at Emperors Palace soon.
History will attest that this episode in his life would, yet unknown at the time, prepare him for the hostilities he would face as he travelled to defend his world IBF title on foreign soil in countries like Panama, France, England, Puerto Rico etc. He certainly deserved the call.
Christodoulo served firstly as secretary and later as executive director of the SA Boxing Control Commission. He became incredibly popular overseas as referee and judge, particularly with the WBA, the oldest world sanctioning body.
Working with WBA which he used as a means of introducing SA boxing into the international arena, he formulated the aspects of our statutory body. He now operates as a freelance referee and judge mainly in Africa and Europe. He has served worldwide as a referee and judge in more than 200 tournaments. He certainly deserved the call.
But why has there been such rarities of African recognition, particularly SA boxers who reached the top and stayed there for the long periods? A case can be made for Welcome Ncita. He not only became the first boxer from his province to win a world title, but also like Mitchell went on to defend his title on foreign countries such as France, Italy, Panama, US etc. To be exact 20 of the fights in his impressive record were compiled on foreign soil. Six of them were in defence of his IBF world title.
Vuyani Bungu’s record of defending the IBF world title a record 13 times is by all international standards a great feat. He has been celebrated for as long and loud inside his country but nothing has been forthcoming from outside.
His achievements rank among the best boxers pound for pound this era. He held the IBF junior-featherweight crown until he vacated it unbeaten in order to campaign as a featherweight. Among his victories stands his double beating of Olympic gold medallist Kennedy McKinney. American hot prospect Danny Romero was marching to world honours and being freely hailed as the next big thing when Bungu nipped him.
Thulani Malinga became the first South African to win what is widely regarded as the most prestigious of all world belts, the WBC championship when he soundly thrashed British boxer Nigel Benn to win the super-middleweight championship.
The WBA is recognised as the first and original world sanctioning body. While more members moved out to form more bodies like the IBF, WBO, IBO, the four most respected and prestigious bodies remains WBA, WBC, WBO and IBF.
Dingaan Thobela, who is regarded by many boxing fundis as the best talent this country has ever produced is the first and only SA boxer to win three of these titles when he won the WBO, WBA and WBC crowns at varying periods of his career.
A name that deserves a place under the international boxing sun is writer and analyst Bert Blewett. One of the most recognisable faces in world boxing. Unquestionably the finest boxing editor and analyst I have had the honour of working with. Working together as boxing analysts for SABC, and widely known as the Gruesome Twosome, we won an international award for excellent boxing analysis. His book, The A-Z Of World Boxing is a masterpiece.
Which brings me to Rodney Berman. He has powered the Golden Gloves enterprise into the most powerful boxing promotion in Africa and certainly one of the most influential in the world.
With perhaps the exception of Malinga and Thobela all the boxers I have mentioned fought their biggest wars in USA. They surely could not have been missed.
Could it be then that the reasons rest within the boxers' records? That contributions by our personnel do not measure up to the required standards?
That our boxers lost the fights that mattered most, did they perhaps not heed the call when fights that would have made the difference were offered. Are we on the wrong continent and therefore do not have the complexion to make the connection... but some of us have. Or are we just not good enough? You be the judge.