Boxing champ relocates to Thokoza to advance career
“He was a very committed and dedicated young man who trained for about a year without any fights.”
After recently championing the Tap Tap Makhathini Championship (TTMC) tournament at the Emaqhwakazi Hall, Eshowe, Kwa Zulu-Natal, the KZN-born boxer Sihle Shange (25) returned to Champ3 Gym in Thokoza to continue his year-long training.
Shange knocked out his opponent, Siyanda Gumede, in one minute 39 seconds in the first round of the junior bantam under 53.5kg bout at the TTMC tournament.
The two were supposed to battle for four rounds of at least three minutes each.
“I am pleased with my performance. I am confident about the improvement because I have put in the work. I train six days a week, from Monday to Saturday,” said Shange.
“My first professional fight was on February 10. I fought Sechaba Vuma, who held a good record in KZN, but I managed to take over the top spot.”
Shange is originally from KZN, but he moved to Thokoza in June last year after his brother advised him to move from KZN to join Champ3 Gym.
“I started boxing in 2013 when I was 15. I was promoted to the professional ranks in 2022. My goal is to be a world boxing champion. I intend to archive that by working hard and believing in myself.”
Coach Sechaba Mabuya said many boxers relocate to Johannesburg because the standard of training and level of boxing differs from that in KZN.
He said many boxers want to come to Johannesburg, and even trainers, who want to expand their knowledge.
“As you might know, Gauteng is a hub in terms of sports and entertainment in general. If you want greener pastures, you come to Gauteng.”
He said the success of Thami Luthuli, a brilliant boxer from KZN, might have influenced Shange’s decision to join Champ3 Gym.
Mabuya said most boxers could see Luthuli’s progress and improvement, and they want to follow in his footsteps and learn from him. He added that much had changed in Shange’s performance since he joined them.
“I focus on professionals, and when he signed up with us, he came from the amateur level. He found professional boxers here. However, he was a very committed and dedicated young man who trained for about a year without any fights,” he continued.
“Not because I did not want to arrange fights for him, but when you come into the pro level, it does not mean you are ready to compete with professionals, there are things he still needed to learn, and he was able to adapt,” said Mabuya.
Shange is preparing for a fight in Brackendowns, which will be confirmed once the contracts are signed.
For updates about upcoming boxing matches, follow Mabuya on Facebook: Sechaba Champ or on Twitter @ Champ3.
