Blow by blow
Boxing Mecca
The news of Ayanda Ndulani’s departure from Kholisile “KC” Cengani stable has shocked the local boxing fraternity.
Cengani was still in the process of recovering from losing Khanyile Bulana in similar fashion, when the blow came.
In this brief chat he talks about his pain:
BM: When did you learn that Ayanda Ndulani was going to leave you? KHOLISILE CENGANI: I did not see it coming at all but looking back there were telltales. For starters we work similar shifts at work for two sister companies so we go to work together.
But two weeks ago when I went to pick him up, he was not there.
When I called him, he said he would follow on his own. But he never arrived at work. The bosses asked me about his whereabouts. Then I suspected that something was wrong.
Are you telling me this boy was also working besides being a boxer?
He was not only working but he was on permanent staff. In fact, this thing happened when he was about to get a job promotion – and he knows that.
In other words he quit his job to leave you?
Absolutely and that is why he has left us flabbergasted. Even his family does not believe what has happened. His sisters have been assailing me with messages to register their disappointment because they know where we come from with Ndulani.
Could the departure of Khanyile Bulana have played a role in all this?
Look, in Bulana’s case there was the Azinga Fuzile factor and I still believe Bulana was caught up in the crossfire. This time Ndulani left on his own although I understand that he left with other boxers.
Yes I spoke to Ricky Weinstein and he said he arrived with Mfusi Maxhayi and Thabo Sonjica.
Yes but what pains me most is the fact that I took Ndulani in after he lost to Magusha (Xolisa) and since then he never lost a single fight under me. He even avenged the loss to Magusha as you already know.
I sense that you treat these boys like your own sons.
They are my sons. I even gave them my SUV to use to come to the gym.
This set me on a collision course with my wife but I told her that I do not want these boys to miss training when I have other commitments. So yes, we have been together for a while.
This must be very hard for you after losing Aphiwe Mboyiya through suspension for doping.
If you recall, you ran a story about me and Ndulani and Bulana just after Mboyiya was suspended.
I said in the story these boys were going to be champions to erase the pain I felt over the Mboyiya debacle. Indeed, I made them champions but just after that they both leave in a space of four months. You can imagine how I am feeling right now.
Did you have a contract with them?
You know, when you take a boy from the township and train him to be a boxer you build loyalty and other attributes, so to come with a contract is really funny. I did not have a contract with them.
I feel for you mkhuluwa (brother) but good luck in your future.
Thanks Mr Zifo, right now I am gutted. I guess I will have to pick myself up again and soldier on, but it is very hard.
Indeed, I made them champs but just after that they both left