Back to ring business for Golding

Western Extension boxer Chris Golding will return to the squared circle for the first time since September when he faces Jules Ngombo in a four-round lightweight bout at Emerald Resort and Casino in Vanderbijlpark on August 12.

Golding and Ngombo will raise the curtain for the headliner between South African and African Boxing Union (ABU) flyweight champion Simangele ‘Smash’ Hadebe and Mexican Alma Melissa Meraz Rodriguez, who will go hammer and tongs for the vacant WBC international female flyweight title.

After claiming his first victory in the pro ranks when he beat Thuso Morakabi by unanimous decision last September, the 24-year-old Golding endured months of frustration when his career stalled because of last-minute postponements of his fights.

“Last year was a successful year. I won my first pro-fight, but I haven’t fought since. Every time I got ready for weigh-in, my fights would be postponed,” Golding said.

The pugilist had to leave his beloved Benoni when his then-gym, VIP Boxing Academy, moved to Edenvale. It was there where his frustrations grew.

He said his boxing suffered when he took a job in Edenvale to supplement the monthly stipend he received from his sponsor.

“I would train in the morning and evening. But after two months, I realised it wasn’t working for me. I quit and decided to move back to Benoni.”

Back home, training hard and finding life easier at Rock Solid Boxing, Golding’s regained his love for the sport.

He said much of this was due to Rock Solid owner Chantal Brown and coach Thabo Ntabanyane, who boosted his confidence.

“If we get a knockout victory or a good performance in the fight, we’ll take another fight before the end of the year. Next year, we’ll fight again, and if all goes well, we will challenge for a national title. From there, we’ll see when I’m ranked and then try to get some international matches,” he said.

The orthodox said he would go the extra mile to claim a win in his fight against Ngombo and then challenge for the junior welterweight title.

“Chris is a hard worker. He’s fit and ready for the fight. I think he’s going to win. I wish him well,” said Ntabanyane.

‘Someone is going down’

Golding’s teammate Manuel Sekele is on the same card and will fight Maanda Mathaba from Sibasa Boxing Club.

After a successful spell in the amateur ranks, Sekele lost on his pro debut. He said he had put that loss behind him and was confident he would throw Mathaba to the canvas.

“My chances are good. I can feel during the sparring sessions that my performance is improving. I am ready for this fight. I think someone is going to go down. If they sleep on me, they are going down,” Sekele said.

Plea for sponsorship

Brown started Rock Solid Boxing two years ago. She has run the gym from her pocket, covering rent, equipment and food for the boxers.

She pleads with local businesses and individuals to help her with sponsorship of any kind.

“We ask local businesses to help our boxers. They are full-time boxers without a steady income. We will welcome any sponsorship,” pleaded Brown.

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