Boxers blessed with rare quality, charisma, should make most of this

“Charisma is the ability to attract, charm, and influence the people around you. Charisma is often said to be a mysterious ineffable quality – you either have it or don't have it.” – Psychology Today.

Perhaps that is an apt description as to why it is easier to fall in love with some boxers while it might take some time and a little convincing to warm up to others.

It is often puzzling as to why, sometimes, a boxer who is deemed “ordinary” commands a huge following from the masses while a brighter prospect struggles to win over the hearts of the very same masses.

When a boxer is blessed with charisma he evokes all sorts of emotions from boxing lovers. He is able to single-handedly take fans on a roller-coaster ride of emotions before, after and in every fight. He brings about a sense of relief and he provides hope for better things to come. That quality is innate, it takes over the entire being and the boxer that is blessed with it oozes all good things imaginable to a boxing fan.

Muhammad Ali, in and out of the ring, was charisma personified. Before he could throw a single punch, before he could utter a single word, just by his mere presence, he evoked a sense of hope, excitement and one could not help but fall in love with him.

If one was unfortunate enough not to like him at first glance, they definitely could not ignore his electrifying presence. Most admirably so, Ali was very much aware of his charisma and loveable personality and exploited it to the fullest with wit and humour and when he took a political stance, he used his charisma to get across to the masses and the masses listened.

Charisma is indeed a “mysterious ineffable quality”. It is difficult to explain until one falls under its spell.

Here, in South Africa, as well we have had a number of loveable boxers mesmerising fistic fans without throwing a single punch in anger in the ring. With their charisma, and taking into consideration the political climate of the country, these boxers managed to unite the country because their charisma transcended all racial barriers.

They evoked emotions from both black and white South Africans. When they fought, the country, for that moment, forgot about its problems and stood in unison. Jacob Matlala, Brian Mitchell, Dingaan Thobela and Welcome Ncita defined what charisma was and its ability to hypnotise the masses. Baby Jake, as diminutive as he was in height, had a presence of a giant.

Some might win the fights in the ring, where it matters most, and some are able win over the hearts of multitudes of people. The irony is that, although boxing is about fighting and winning, people do not necessarily remember the victories but they will always remember how a certain boxer made them feel.

Nkosana Mgxaji, for example, had so many flaws in his makeup but what really makes him an icon are the many fond memories and emotions he ignited in people.

His charisma was magnetic across all ages, he had people right under his spell and that magneticism was only unique to him and him alone. Charisma cannot be faked nor trained for. It is within and those blessed with it should capitalise and cash in on it.