‘Local boxers must dream big’
LOCAL boxers must adopt the similar attitude of soccer players whose ultimate dream is to feature in bigger leagues internationally where they rake in millions of rands while their legs can still carry them.
This advice was issued yesterday by East London boxing manager Mlandeli Thengimfene, who owns the growing All Winners boxing stable where fighters’ skills are honed by Loyiso Mtya and Zolile Tete.
Thengimfene’s big-name fighters – Zolani “Last Born” Tete, Lusanda “Mexican” Komanisi and Mzuvukile “Old Bones” Magwaca – are promoted internationally.
The 28-year-old Tete, an IBF International bantamweight title holder, signed a three-year deal with promoter Frank Warren in the United Kingdom last year.
Warren previously worked with a number of great African fighters including Jacob “Baby Jake” Matlala and Thulani “Sugar Boy” Malinga (both locals), Namibian Harry “The Terminator” Simon and Ghanaian icon Azumah “The Professor” Nelson.
Tete has already appeared in front of English fans, blasting both Jose Santos Gonzales and Victor Ruiz in seven rounds.
Komanisi, the 26year-old formidable boxer who currently holds the IBO featherweight belt, signed with American Greg Cohen last month.
WBA International bantamweight champion Magwaca, 23, was inked by the same American company last week.
Said Thengimfene: “Boxers here are signed for two fights per year and there is no investment, whereas boxers internationally are signed for three years and three fights per year.
“A lot can happen during that time. I want to encourage locals boxers to begin to think like our soccer players whose ultimate wish is to play overseas, and make a lot of
They must “think like soccer players
money.”
Thengimfene added: “I embrace the move that has happened for my boxers but I honestly believe that it will open doors for other local boxers as well because of the relationship I have with Greg Cohen.”
Cohen is the CEO of Greg Cohen Promotion. He has been involved with professional boxing in various capacities since 1980.
His promotional company has provided talent and content for several television networks including CBS Sports, HBO, Showtime, ESPN, NBC Sports, CBS Sports, MSG and Fox Sports Net.