Professional boxer Wynand Mulder is returning to the ring after a two-year layoff. His last fight was against Walter Dlamini during which Wynand tore a bicep tendon. Although the injury forced him to step away from the ring and focus on rehabilitation, this has not withered his love of the sport. Wynand comes from a boxing family – his grandfather, father and uncle were boxers, with their biggest fan being his grandmother whom Wynand refers to as the matriarch of the family.
The 29-year-old started his boxing career at Witpoortjie Vikings Amateur Boxing Club and after years of honing his craft, received his professional licence in 2010.
“I grew up with boxing, so to me there is no sport like boxing. It’s an individual sport and you can’t play it. Boxers go into the ring as enemies, but leave as friends with a hug and handshake.
Wynand’s goal has always been to become a professional boxer to experience the thrills he has heard his grandfather, father and uncle talking about.
“I love the sport so much and I did everything I could to get back into shape. I had to work hard for six months to get my strength back and went to a biokineticist to help my muscles heal. I have been through hell and back, and it’s all for the love of boxing,” he said.
With a fight scheduled later this month, Wynand has been working with legendary South African trainer Alan Toweel.
“I trained with him before my injury. He is one of the best trainers in the country, so when I decided to get back into the ring, I wanted only him to be my trainer and nobody else. If he wasn’t willing to train me again, I wouldn’t have wanted to come back to the sport,” he said.
He added that training with Alan and using old training techniques such as daily sparring, pad and bag work and conditioning has improved his fitness tremendously.
“I have unfinished business and I want to become champion. That is my goal. I want to show my children that you always finish what you start, no matter what blows life keeps throwing your way,” he said.
Wynand admitted that although boxing is his love, it would not be possible to continue his love affair with the sport without his wife Marlene.
“Boxing is something you can’t leave, no matter. It’s a fire that burns inside me and when I was out injured I missed it terribly. It was on my mind constantly but I learnt there is more to life than just boxing. Now I have two children, one aged at three and the other six months. I am so grateful to my wife who has always been understanding,” he said.
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