‘I’m bringing the title back to KZN’

LEE Dyer rarely minces his words. The Durban North resident and professional boxer, will fight for the South African Super Middleweight title belt this week. The 35-year-old has pledged that he is bringing the belt back to KZN.

His bout takes place this weekend in Queenstown. It won’t be an easy feat, as Dyer’s opponent, Balimo Weliya, has never been knocked-out, or defeated in his title reign. However, this doesn’t phase the local boxer.

“I had a title shot against Balimo in 2010 but I broke my ankle before the fight which was devastating. So it’s been a long road back to the top and I’m ready for my shot. I’m bringing the title down to KZN, where it belongs. My mind is focused and I’m hungry. I’m aware of all the stats, that he has never been knocked out, and he normally goes the distance of 12 rounds, but he has never fought me.

“I got the call that I was going to fight Balimo quite late and have just come back from Thailand where I was on holiday. Ideally I would have liked longer to prepare for the fight but that’s not going to be a problem. I’m here for the title and there’s no two ways about it, it’s what I’ve been dreaming about since I was a kid,” he said.

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).

His trainer and best friend, Trevor Wolmarans, runs a boxing gym with Dyer, Domination Knuckle Game on Umhlanga Rocks Drive. Wolmarans says he is confident Dyer will be returning with the belt in tow.

“He is lightning fast in the ring, he’s hitting the bag hard and he is moving well. He has put in so much work to get here and he’s not going to be phased by his opponent. We as Domination feel the belt belongs in KZN and that’s where it’s going to be next Sunday. No one works as hard as Lee, he doesn’t have an off-season, he trains from January to December and I’m confident he will beat Balimo,” he said.