Final bell rings for ‘Tiger Floor’
Mokoena fought and beat fancied rivals
Born: February 11 1940 Died: August 10 Funeral: Tomorrow, at No 8185 Sharpeville, near Sharpeville Hall, from 7am Burial: Vanderbijlpark Cemetery
When tough-as-nails former SA featherweight champion Shole “Tiger Floor” Mokoena died on Thursday last week, it was on the same date his wife Mamokhele Mokoena died in 2012.
Shole, who was born in the Free Sate in 1940, died at home in Sharpeville in the Vaal after a long illness. He was 77.
Veteran boxing promoter Ezekiel Mtshali said he had known Mokoena from 1958 when Mtshali used to stage boxing tournaments in Sharpeville.
“When Mokoena quit as a fighter in 1974, he started honing the skills of aspirant fighters at Ferreira Boxing Club until two years ago when his legs could not carry him anymore,” said 74year-old Mtshali, who trained big-name boxers such as Joseph “Skiet” Tsotetsi, who died last November, and Anthony “Qash” Sithole.
“We have lost a legend. He was a humble guy who loved boxing with a passion. When he opened his mouth it was only about boxing. We will always remember him. May his soul rest in peace,” Mtshali said.
Mokoena fought his first professional boxing match on August 11 1961 when he beat Cyril Moorehead at Uncle Tom’s Hall in Orlando West, Soweto.
He won the vacant SA nonwhite featherweight title in his fifth fight against Anthony Banyton at Sharpeville Communal Hall on May 19 1963, but lost that belt to Levi “Golden Boy” Madi at Orlando Stadium on May 8 1965.
Mokoena fought and beat topname foes such as Leslie Tengee, Richard Kid Borias and Anthony “Blue Jaguar” Morodi, and regained the title from Madi in 1966.
Mokoena went on to beat Namibian Joe Archer at Jabulani Amphitheatre in Soweto on December 2 1972.
They met for the second time at Centenary Hall in Port Elizabeth where Archer avenged his loss with a stoppage win. Mokoena then lost to Morodi and Rolly Xipu before beating Louis Miya at DH Williams Hall in Katlehong on March 8 1974.
Mokoena, who was trained by the late Jacob “Sugar” Mokhena, lost to Isaac Rakhajane at Seeisoville Stadium in Kroonstad on May 4 1974. Mokoena quit with a record of 46 wins, 11 KOs, against 24 losses and a draw.
Mokoena is survived by his four children – three boys and a girl – six grandchildren and a greatgrandchild.