SA mini-flyweight champion Bangile Nyangani turns up the heat in Linden
Bangile Nyangani enjoys the discipline that comes with boxing.
South African mini-flyweight champion Bangile Nyangani is training hard in Linden ahead of his next title defence fight.
The 28-year-old Randburg CBD resident fights out of Alan Toweel Boxing Gym.
His third title defence has been postponed a few times but he is expected to take on Siyakholwa Kuse (a former champion he has beaten before) in May or June.
“Bangile is now rated in the top 15 in the world by all four governing bodies,” coach Alan Toweel boasted.
“Every month he climbs the ladders and if we can get a fight against an international opponent and he wins that, he should move into the top 10 in the world. I believe he can do it. He is an up-and-coming star.”
Nyangani has 13 professional wins, one draw and one loss. He has held the national title for more than a year but the ABU SADC and WBA Pan-African titles for about four years.
“I have been boxing since I was eight years old, growing up in Mthatha in the Eastern Cape,” Nyangani said.
“My friends and I looked at sports we could do after school. Though I enjoyed boxing and started to win fights, my other friends left so, of the 20 of us, only two remained after a month.”
The discipline of boxing was what appealed to Nyangani as a youngster.
“The situation was difficult and many of my friends became criminals. Half are in jail now. I was always busy with boxing, travelling and fighting. In my first fight, I was only 18kg but I had to fight against someone 26kg. I drew that fight.”
Toweel was proud to say Nyangani lives a clean lifestyle, without smoking or drinking like some other professional boxers and this has contributed to his success.
Though he has one sponsor, Nyangani and Toweel are looking for more.
Details: Alan Toweel Boxing Gym 083 555 4634.
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Linden mini-flyweight and SA champion just about ready to fight outside the region
