Boxers knock at my door begging me to promote them
Ailing legend talks up comeback
Ailing iconic boxing trainer, manager and promoter Mzimasi Mnguni says it hurts him so much to turn down boxers who ask him to guide their careers.
“You don’t understand how I feel to say no to their request because that has never been my nature,” said the 70-yearold whose poor health has permanently confined him to a wheelchair.
Mnguni is to boxing what Jomo Sono is to football: he’s got an eye for talent and has the right connections in the sport to unlock opportunities for his proteges.
Mnguni, the owner of the famed Eyethu Promotions was influential in producing many provincial, South African and world boxing champions from East London and outside the province that had more credible world champions than any other in South Africa.
“The pressure is mounting from boxers who are knocking at my doors begging me to promote them,” said Mnguni, who produced world champions Welcome “The Hawk” Ncitha, Mbulelo “Slayer” Botile, Vuyani “The Beast” Bungu and Zolani “Tiger” Petelo, among others.
“If I get a television date today and government grant which promoters get from provincial structures, then rest assured that I will be back doing what I did with passion for the better part of my life. There is a need for me to consider their requests,” he said.
“By the way, I never announced my retirement. It was just a break that was caused by ailments.”
Mnguni suffered several strokes a few years ago and has become a pale shadow of the one-time giant who wrote his name into the history books during a glittering career.
Mnguni told Sowetan yesterday that he was in charge of the career of current SA junior lightweight holder Phila Mpontshana.