Malinga brothers continue father’s boxing legacy
Following the death of their father, Jabulani Malinga, who was a legendary boxer, the three Malinga brothers, Peter, Thami and Vusi, have vowed to keep the legacy of their father alive.
The trio told Kathorus MAIL that nothing would separate them from boxing. They were speaking during an interview at the Katlehong-based J.D Malinga Boxing Fitness, a boxing gym named after their father, on October 8.
Peter, the eldest son, said his father was an inspiration to them.
“There is a lot that our father has achieved as a boxer, including working closely with world champions like Dingaan Thobela. Yet, he still remained humble.
“He introduced me to boxing in 1985. At that time, age was catching up with him, but he still managed to make the best boxers out of us. What I like the most is that we went all the way to become world champions,” Peter said, adding that he became a professional boxer in 1992.
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Peter said he won several titles in his boxing career, including the SA Champion Middleweight in 1987, followed by the Gauteng title after becoming a professional boxer. He also won the SA title, the WBU world title and the IBA world title.
Thami, the second son, said he won the SA Championship in 1989 while he was still an amateur.
“I became a professional boxer in 1997 and won my first title as a professional boxer in 2001. It was the Gauteng Championship after defeating Petros Padi with TKO during the first round.
“In 2009, I fought for the SA Championship against Amon Baloyi and won after the 12th round. Then I won a big one, the WBE title after defeating Ashley Whiteboy with KO during the third round in Sandton,” Thami said.
Vusi, the youngest son and the manager of the gym, said during his time as a boxer he won the SA Champion, WBC International, and WBA Pan African titles before retiring from the sport in 2015.
Other than the Malinga brothers, the gym has produced a number of world champions, including Nkululeko Mhlongo, Kaina Hlongwane and Ayanda Nkosi.
The brothers are still grooming other young promising boxers, including Mpumelelo Tshabalala.
“We would like to get sponsors so that we can be able to grow young talent in boxing,” said Peter.
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