If you knocked your opponent out in the first round, in four of your five fights, you would feel pretty confident as a boxer.
And so feels Nkhensahosi ‘James’ Makondo (22), who can pack one of the hardest punches you will ever see.
The professional boxer from Protea Glen drives to the Alan Toweel Boxing Club in Linden every day to train. He also runs at least 10km daily, often from the club to the top of Northcliff Hill and back again.
All this is in preparation for a six-round welterweight fight against Namibia’s Charles Shimina at the Royal Swazi Spa in Swaziland. The fight on 1 June will be broadcast live on Fox Sports Africa, and could help Makondo’s professional career reach the next level.
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“I am going to beat Charles,” he said plainly, before sparring with another professional boxer at his club. While Makondo would not divulge his strategy to win, he said he hoped to knock his opponent out again.
“My dream is to become the world champion. I punch hard and am perfecting my technique right now.”
His trainer, Alan Toweel Jnr said Makondo had a solid jab and powerful right hand. “He switches nicely to the body when he fights,” added Toweel.
“In the boxing world, it is difficult to forecast how far a fighter will go. You are as good as your last fight. However, if he is consistent with his high work rate, willing to learn and sacrifice, I believe he has a good future.”
Makondo started boxing when he was eight years old, at a club near where he grew up in Malamulele, Limpopo.
“I have never stopped liking boxing,” he smiled. “It teaches self-discipline, good morals and composure. There is nothing I do not like about boxing.”
Shimina is undefeated in five fights, so the match-up is perfect.
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