Boxing legend, Nick Durandt, laid to rest

Tributes at the late boxing trainer/manager funeral, Nick Durandt.

May 6, 2017

Annette van Schalkwyk 2 minutes read

PALL BEARERS: Arnold Aarons, Craig Andrew, Graham Diedericks, Hilton Labuschagne, Mark Strydom, Peter Costen and Piet Jonker. Photo: Annette van Schalkwyk.

EMOTIONS ran high as Nick Durandt’s family and friends made their way to the Lady of Lebanon Maronite Church, in Liefde and Vrede, on May 5, to say their final farewells to the boxing legend.

The hearse was escorted by police and followed by a convoy of bikers. Mourners filled the church to capacity with people standing and extra chairs brought in. Various media houses and camera crews were there to cover the event.

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Durandt (53) was killed in a motorbike accident while travelling on the R712, between Clarens and Bethlehem, in the Free State, on April 21.

His son, Damian, opted to travel by car on that fateful day but was at his dad’s bedside in hospital at the time of his death.

COMFORT: Damian Durandt is comforted by one of the Crusaders members at his father’s funeral. Photo: Annette van Schalkwyk.

Durandt was the president of the Crusaders motorbike club and was on tour with the club at the time of the accident.

The club, formed in 2006, has more than 500 members.

Durandt’s funeral was scheduled for April 28, at the Maronite Catholic Church, but as a result of many boxing events and the fact that his son was involved in a tournament at Carnival City that evening, the date was changed to May 5.

The legendary boxing trainer/manager lived in the northeast of Johannesburg and had gymnasiums in Johannesburg Central as well as in Linksfield and Melrose Arch.

EMOTIONS HIGH: Storm and Damian Durandt, Nick Durandt’s sons, in front of the procession, supported by the Crusaders motorbike club and members of the boxing fraternity.
Photo: Annette van Schalkwyk.

He retired last year after serving the code of boxing for 30 years.

The prolific trainer coached 38 world champions and an incredible 97 national champions during his career.

Four months ago, Durandt was bestowed with a lifetime achievement award by Boxing South Africa at the national boxing awards, in Durban. He dedicated the award to his sons.

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Durandt said: “I dedicate this award to two people in my life, my boys at home‚ Damian and Storm, for giving me the time that I needed to produce all the champions and allowing me to steal most of their life from them.