Trainer gutted by departure

The departure of Duncan Village boxing star Azinga Fuzile to Johannesburg has overshadowed the pain felt by Khanyile Bhulana’s trainer who also lost a boxer in similar circumstances.

This after Bhulana and Fuzile left the region to join Colin Nathan in Johannesburg recently.

Kholisile Cengani, who lost Bhulana to Nathan, was so gutted with the move that he was booked off for three days from work for depression.

“I could not work days,” he said.

“The pain I felt after taking the boy when he had only one professional fight and making him an SA champion, was immeasurable.”

Cengani was still basking in the glory of guiding the 28-yearold Bhulana to an SA featherweight title reign after beating Free State boxer Tello Dithebe only two months ago.

The fight was his 10th in the paid ranks without a loss, having transformed him from a green horn prospect into a national champion.

When the departure occurred, he was busy preparing Bhulana to defend his crown against Nathan-trained Lerato Dlamini.

“We were busy preparing to fight Dlamini and Bhulana for three knew about the fight. The fight was to take place next month,” Cengani explained.

But now the fight will not happen as Bhulana and Dlamini are both trained by Nathan. Instead there have been reports that Bhulana may move up to the lightweight division although Cengani said the boxer was not struggling to fight in the featherweight.

However this was denied by Nathan who emphatically stated that the rumours were incorrect.

While Fuzile’s departure has ruffled feathers between his promoter Rumble Africa and former trainer Mzamo Njekanye with accusations and counter-accusations, Cengani said he did not blame RAP in the fiasco.

In fact, he emphasised that RAP was as surprised as he is with the whole debacle.

“RAP called me to warn me that there was news that the two boxers could leave,” he said.

“But when I called Bhulana about the rumours, he denied them and instead promised that he would be reporting to the gym that afternoon.”

While he is disappointed, Cengani said he had no grudge against the boxer as he believed he is the victim of circumstance.

“I think our relationship with Bhulana was caught up in the Fuzile shenanigans, otherwise I do not believe Bhulana would have left.”

Cengani – who also lost his top boxer, Aphiwe Mboyiya, when he was suspended for two years for doping – said he would soldier on and groom other boxers in his stable to reach the boxing summit.

The pain I felt after making him SA champ, was quite tough