Paul Kamanga waited three long years to make his return to the ring when he took on Vipere Kongolo in his home country, DR Congo.
Kamanga made a welcome showing in the capital city of Kinshasa, the city reputed for hosting the legendary Muhammed Ali and George Foreman fight of the century.
Kamanga almost quit his favourite sport, boxing, coming from a loss at the 02Arena in the UK three years ago. He made his way back to the South and saw his boxing desire revived with the motivation and help of a big fan base in the south, as well as dedicated sponsors like Big Bom Lollipop and Nexus Travel Agency, who still had faith in Kamanga’s potential.
He is still in contact with overseas-based matchmaker and manager Marcel Tshiyoyo, and a fight was set for his return fight against a young rising boxer Kongolo. The boxer from DRC has a record of 11 fights unbeaten and whom his fans referred to as “le chouchou de Kinshasa”.
The phrase means Kamanga, who was carrying the South African flag, was walking into a hostile zone where he was made to feel like a stranger in his own country, with the entire venue chanting for Kongolo.
On fight night, Kamanga had the exception of a few family members who were present and he felt deeply intimidated by the crowd behind his opponent.
In the first round, Kamanga made his intentions clear to settle in as he had been out of boxing for a while.
His opponent, Kongolo, had other intentions and came to take on the boxer from the South of Johannesburg.
The first round ended with an open cut above Kamanga’s eye from a head bud, the second round only lasted for 10 seconds as Kamanga landed a right hook that knocked out his opponent and silenced the entire venue.
Special mention to his trainer, Gert Strydom, who could not travel with Kamanga due to a late notice visa arrangement.
“I am back to fight and am very glad about winning my comeback fight,” said Kamanga.
