Uitenhage ring gladiator is out for gold on Gold Coast

NELSON Mandela Bay’s Siyabulela Mpongoshe will be looking to box his way to a gold medal at the Commonwealth Games in Australia starting from April 4 to 15.

The 23-year-old, who trains out of Uitenhage, is one of two boxers who will represent South Africa on the Gold Coast.

The other one will be Sinethemba Blom from Cape Town – who will form part of the SA Commonwealth Games Team.

Mpongoshe will be campaigning in the 49kg, while Blom will be vying for honours in the 64kg category.

The pair did not go through a qualification process but were selected due to their lofty ratings at the Commonwealth Games.

Both command the top 10 spot in the ratings and although SA National Amateur Boxing Organisation (Sanabo) president Andile Mofu would have loved to have more he is delighted with the opportunity presented to the duo.

Mpongoshe has had a stellar career in the amateur ranks since his debut 2014.

The quick-footed SA champion managed to beat the odds to become the boxer of the year in 2014 and 2016.

He has an impressive record of 119 fights with 110 wins and nine losses.

“Being selected to be part of the national team is big thing for me,” said excited Mpongoshe.

“The fact that I am the only male boxer from the Eastern Cape makes me even more proud.

“It has been constant hard work for me because I really want to prove myself.

“I have a hunger to keep doing well and maintaining my top rating in the country.”

Mpongoshe started at the Vigorous Boxing Club stable in Zwide where he shared two pairs of gloves and one punch bag with 45 other boxers.

Determined to succeed, he would jog almost 10km every morning before going to school.

He hopes a gold medal in this year’s competition will be just reward for his hard work while he also wants to set an example for other young boxers.

“I really want to win gold at the Commonwealth Games so that I can be a beacon of hope in my community,” said Mpongoshe.

“I want to show everyone that it does not matter where you come from, but if you have heart and determination you will definitely make it.

“Fighting on such a big stage will expose me to different styles of boxing that I can bring home to boost the sport in Port Elizabeth.

“I am not worried about my competition there, I will box the best way I know because I am determined,” he said.

The pair will travel to the Zone 4 African Championships in Mozambique next Friday where they will looking to get good results ahead of the Games.