Ringing in the changes for boxing
NGN talks to two local athletes who want to put boxing in KZN back on the map.
THE rise in popularity of mixed martial arts or, as it better known, MMA, has meant that contact sports such as boxing have taken somewhat of a backseat when it comes to coverage. While the popularity of the sport hasn’t waned in other provinces such as Guateng and the Western Cape, there has been a lull in the sport in KZN.
Now two local residents – Lee Dyer, a professional boxer, and Trevor Wolmarans, who together run a boxing gym, Domination Knuckle Game on Umhlanga Rocks Drive – are doing their best to create awareness of the sport as well as an appreciation for it.
The duo has even installed a outdoor ring to promote amateur boxing by hosting fight nights, which are open to both men and women.
Lee, who has 10 pro fights under his belt, holds the South African middleweight baby champs title, has played ice hockey for South Africa and also competed in FMX (freestyle motocross). However, after a number of injuries in the sport, he decided to trade in his riding gloves for boxing ones.
“I think both me and Trev have a collective dream of reviving boxing here in KZN. Our first event was fantastically supported, we had more than 300 people here on the night. Promoting boxing and trying to spread the message of community involvement is what we are about.
“We’ve even approached the local police stations, fire stations and other emergency services personnel to offer them classes. Our next event is in April and I’m hoping for more people to come and enjoy some good, clean fights,” Dyer said.
Wolmarans, who also has a background in amateur boxing, said another of the gym’s goals was to get more youngsters and women involved.
“Boxing offers you an all-round workout and it’s very social. We want to see the community get involved, especially the youth and women.” Commenting on the rise of sports like MMA, Wolmarans said: “I think boxing has always been there, it’s never gone anywhere. For us, this is about giving back to the community. Boxing is the basic backbone of the MMA stand-up game.
“We have some promising talent in KZN and some world-class boxers, guys like Lee and David Rajuli, another boxer at our gym, who are hungry for success. Ultimately we want to bring back titles to the province,” Wolmarans said.
The next event will be held on 22 April from 6.30pm. There will be a number of food stalls and prize giveaways. For more information, contact Lee on 082 373 6880 or Trevor on 079 015 6419.
