BALOYI BACK IN GYM AFTER CRASH
BOXING icon Cassius “Shy Guy” Baloyi, pictured, is out of danger, following a near-fatal car crash in Ekurhuleni three months ago. The retired boxer’s sister, Rhulani Baloyi, told Sowetan yesterday that her 42- yearold brother – who won four world titles in two weight divisions – spent two months in hospital following the accident in April. Rhulani, a former Boxing SA board member, added that Baloyi suffered severe injuries, especially to his right hand.
“We were informed that a driver made a sudden U-turn without even indicating, and in the process drove straight into my brother’s car,” she said.
“He had to undergo five operations and he also did some skin grafts.”
The retired boxer from Malamulele, Giyani in Limpopo, runs his own gym in Sandton.
“I have started using my hand slowly last week after three months of physiotherapy,” said Baloyi, who has returned to gym work with his boxers.
This was not Baloyi’s first brush with death. He was shot at close range by three men during a hijacking in Braamfontein in 2001 and had to be hospitalised for four days.
Meanwhile, Baloyi’s former trainer Elias Tshabalala has confirmed that he has been rejoined by IBO junior bantamweight holder Gideon “Hardcore” Buthelezi from Boipatong in the Vaal.
Tshabalala guided Baloyi to the WBU featherweight belt, led Jacob Mofokeng to the SA heavyweight belt and Dingaan Thobela to both the SA and WBC super middleweight titles.
“Gideon did not leave me. I took fed-up leave after our return from Mexico where we lost to Adrian Hernandez for the WBC title in 2011,” said Tshabalala, who helped Buthelezi dethrone Hekkie Budler of his IBO junior lightweight strap before he lost to Hernandez.
“The boy came to me and asked me that we team up again, so I agreed.”