Talented fighter another big loss
While the local boxing scene is in sombre mood as it bids farewell to Leighandre “Baby Lee” Jegels, another tragedy has struck after the death of twotime South African featherweight title challenger Solomzi Govuza.
The news of Govuza’s death was confirmed by close family friend Nceba Dladla, a former boxer himself who shared a boxing club with Govuza’s older brother Nqaba under the tutelage of Loyiso Mtya.
Solomzi, 42, died after a car crash on Sunday.
At the time of his death he was a taxi driver having retired from boxing at an early age when so much had been expected of him.
Affectionately known as Solly, Govuza twice challenged for the SSA featherweight title, losing to eventual world champions Philip Ndou and Takalani Ndlovu.
Considered one of the best talents in the Mdantsane area, Govuza shot to prominence with a string of impressive wins including a stoppage victory over then unbeaten Khulekile Sibeko.
Like his brother, he was plucked from obscurity by Mtya as an amateur but his tumultuous boxing career saw him hopping from one stable to the other and often taking fights at short notice.
The fight against Ndou, for instance was marred by controversy as some believed that he should not have taken it as it came at short notice.
“Solly was a talented young fighter who could have achieved so much in the ring,” confirmed Mtya.
Boxing Mecca recalls Govuza’s determination to take the Ndou fight; he even claimed he had dreamt of himself with the belt around his waist.
“I dreamt about this fight long before it was offered to me.
“I dreamt about me with the belt, with people celebrating and Ndou lying there.”
During the actual fight, Govuza held his own and matched the hard punching Ndou punch for punch. The fight was controversially stopped in the third with Govuza not hurt, sparking a wild protest from his camp.
Dladla said Govuza will be buried next weekend Saturday.